Thoughts by Kate Adams
As we near lights out at Portugal I find myself less enthusiastic about watching these beautiful machines race each other. Why? Because I've not seen any talk, any reporting or any discussion on any safety improvements that may have occurred at the Algarve International Circuit - Portimão Circuit.
Let's start with the gravel; it's a well-known safety concern that has led to some riders suffering serious consequences due to the track's texture. The list below provides a guide to just some of the serious injuries we have seen at the Portimão circuit:
Franco Morbidelli: Found unconscious in the gravel by the Marquez brothers. Ruled out of all preseason testing for the 2024 season.
Pol Espargaro: Experienced a nasty high-side that caused the rider to slide along the gravel before hitting a darker patch and flipping multiple times into a tire wall. He suffered multiple fractures to his spine and jaw, requiring a lengthy hospital stay. The spinal injuries were severe enough that he lost a centimeter of height.
Fabio Di Giannantonio: Declared unfit for the 2023 pre-season testing after suffering a concussion. The rider slid across the asphalt and hit the gravel, which he described as 'wall-like,' losing consciousness on impact.
Jorge Martin: In 2021, a series of barrel rolls resulted in the rider sustaining four blows over 25g, leaving him sidelined for a number of races with multiple fractures.
Then there's the crash involving Carlos Tatay. While this incident had nothing to do with the gravel, as he missed it completely and slid across an access road before hitting the tire barrier. He broke his back in the accident and is currently embroiled in a legal battle regarding insurance. Currently, he is confined to a wheelchair, a wheelchair which his family cannot afford.
And while the examples above may have occurred at any track, riders have been vocally critical regarding the gravel's propensity to damage their bikes and its inherent danger. While this sport is well-known for its risks, when multiple riders concur on an issue, we witness numerous injuries and teams incurring additional costs repairing bikes damaged in minor low-side crashes. Something must be done to improve the situation.
Pecco Bagnaia collects some gravel to take to the safety commission after his crash in FP2. @MotoGP
MotoGP is far from the only series at the circuit to witness incidents. The Porsche Sprint Cup experienced a car crashing over the barriers and into the grandstand. Thankfully, everyone was okay in the incident below. However, had there been spectators in this area, fatalities could have easily occurred.
I am hoping that when we arrive in Portimão that safety improvements have occurred ahead of this weekends racing. Otherwise I fear it is only a matter of who, not when.
It does make me wonder when, or even if, IRTA, FIM, and Dorna will finally intervene to not only change the gravel entirely but also to enhance the circuit to a reasonable standard. It shouldn't be falling solely on the riders to speak out and raise every issue only to be ignored (the gravel issue has been raised for at least 4 years).
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