With 1126 units, the 2017 season saw a record number of crashes during Grands Prix, all categories combined.
Dorna, always concerned about pilot safety, produces very detailed statistics in this regard, but it seems difficult to attribute this increase in loss of control compared to last year to anything other than particularly rainy weather.
On this subject, it does not seem obvious that resurfacing the asphalt, while it improves times and the feeling of safety, systematically reduces the number of falls caused. Just look at Le Mans where it went from 38 to 94 despite an excellent surface. Excessive confidence due to exceptional grip? Conversely, Barcelona, which will only be resurfaced next season, has only experienced 42 falls this year...
Between category, surface, track and weather, it is very difficult to separate things, and at most we can note that Misano has shattered the average of 62 crashes per Grand Prix, with 140 units this year.
We also note that the increase mainly concerns the MotoGP (313 vs 283) and Moto2 (434 vs 364) categories, while that of Moto3 is decreasing (379 vs 410).
In any case, faced with this constantly increasing risk, the governing bodies have imposed from next year the wearing of suits equipped with airbags in all categories, in addition to constantly monitoring the provision safety of circuits.
