Luca Marini's fifth-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix might suggest a successful weekend for Honda. However, when he climbed out of his RC213V on Sunday evening, the Italian rider had one image in mind: the pile-up caused by Jorge Martin in the first corner.
Car Marini was ideally positioned to witness the scene. Right behind the 2024 world champion's RS-GP when it began to slide sideways before taking him down with it. Marco Bezzecchi, Raul Fernandez, Fermin Aldeguer et Fabio DiGiannantonio.
And what he says about GP One is particularly revealing. I saw it clearly; he braked suddenly. And I thought to myself, "He's going to hit someone." So I had to brake harder and prepare to negotiate the turn, because it would have been catastrophic otherwise. »
For MariniThe danger was immediately visible. The pilot Honda He even admitted to thinking a red flag was going to be raised. I was expecting a red flag, but nothing happened. »
According to him, the consequences could have been even more serious. For me, this accident was much worse. In Barcelona, Zarco was extremely unlucky; his leg got caught. Here, we were lucky that no one was injured. But for me, this accident was more serious »
Strong words indeed, as the paddock has still not forgotten the spectacular Barcelona accident involving Johann zarco.
Luca Marini: “ At the first corner, the more you overtake, the easier the race becomes. That's also why we take big risks. »
Luca marini does not, however, seek to make George Martin The sole person responsible. His analysis is more nuanced. For him, several factors combined to make the accident almost inevitable.
First, the route itself. The layout clearly doesn't help, as you have to brake at 40 km/h."Then, the new asphalt." It has to be said, the asphalt was not in good condition"But above all, the constant pressure that pushes the drivers to try everything from the very first meters." Each position gained means one less driver to overtake over the next 27 laps. It's this combination that causes problems. »
The pilot Honda He goes even further by discussing the reality of modern MotoGP. The pressure on the drivers is greater today. Every two years, it could be the last yearThey are all incredibly fast, they are all at an incredible level. And to summarize: At the first corner, the more you overtake, the easier the race becomes. That's also why we take big risks.. »
Even before the official announcement from Race Control, Marini was convinced that Martin would be sanctioned. It is impossible that he will not be penalized.A few hours later, the Spaniard was indeed handed a double Long Lap penalty to be served in the next match. Brno Grand Prix.
More Marini believes that the problem goes far beyond the case MartinAccording to him, the regulatory changes already planned for 2027 could be the real solution. For next year, there will already be very important changes: they are removing the devices. In my opinion, that will be enough to solve the problem. »
But beyond the result, what will be remembered most from his Hungarian weekend is undoubtedly this phrase uttered a few seconds after the start: I thought to myself: he's going to hit someone"A sentence that sums up in itself all the tension, all the risks and all the brutality of current MotoGP.
The message of Luca marini It is clear: safety at the first turn becomes an absolute emergency. After Barcelona and now HungaryThe paddock can no longer tolerate this systematic carnage. Pressure is mounting for concrete measures to be taken before a more serious tragedy occurs.
