The accident between Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli, and the collateral action which followed with the two motorcycles in distress, fortunately with no other damage than material and psychological, was one of the highlights of this start of the season. A clash which moved an Italian part of the paddock, to the point that a week later, Johann Zarco was designated as irresponsible in this action. And therefore guilty and punished. But the older generation is not in unison with this approach. Take the case of Carl Fogarty…
Carl Fogarty carved out its reputation and its track record in a Superbike category where strong characters had a field day. On and off the track. The Englishman can be classified among the roughnecks of a generation which was already, to begin with, not afraid of anything. In fact, his approach to the accident which paralyzed an Austrian Grand Prix stopped at the red flag before resuming, and which concerned Johann zarco à Franco Morbidelli, is not that of FIM stewards, who dubbed an interpretation widely distributed in the media, before being brought before the jury…
Public chat The Gazzetta dello Sport, Carl Fogarty gives an interpretation which definitely no longer belongs to a world before, but indeed to a lost world… “ Today, shopping is much safer than 20 years agos” start English. “Looking back every ten to twenty years, we see a crazy evolution. And not just on the tracks, which are continually modified for this purpose, but also on the equipment, such as suits and helmets ».
The Briton also talks about mechanical improvements to motorcycles. “ Electronics also play a role. It helps a lot, especially with the exaggerated power of modern motorcycles. Machines of the past were less powerful, but it was easier to fall. They were unpredictable. It's a bit paradoxical, MotoGP and Superbikes go much faster than before, but fortunately safety has increased. Generally, we now injure ourselves less when running. And this sometimes makes us forget that our sport was, is and will continue to be a dangerous sport ».
“Morbidelli did not react quickly enough”
In the specific case of the accident in Austria, Fogarty thinks it was a racing incident: “ In the case of the accident in Austria, it all started because Zarco's bike was a little faster than Morbidelli's. Later, when overtaking, he had to brake earlier and harder. Morbidelli didn't react quickly enough and... bang! These things happen ", did he declare. “ Fortunately, the bikes passed very close to Rossi and Viñales. I don't know how we could intervene to avoid the repetition of similar situations ».
After the accident, Johann zarco, who ended up injured, received a lot of criticism. Fogarty do not enter into this dynamic of designating anyone. “ Like I said, these things happen. Terrible accidents happen from time to time during races. And it had no consequences. I say running is dangerous » because no matter how hard you work to make racing safer, there is always an element of risk in motorcycling “, he said.
« You have to accept this, and if you don't, you better stay home... Do something else, play tennis, but don't drive a motorcycle. Even in my career, things like this have happened. These are serious accidents, but they happen in our sport. Risk cannot be completely eliminated and pilots must always keep it in mind » concludes Carl Fogarty.
