Miguel Oliveira (Pramac Yamaha) is having a chaotic start to the 2025 MotoGP season, marked by a serious injury during the sprint of the Argentine Grand Prix, the second round of the calendar. After being hit by Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Ducati) in a crash, the Portuguese driver suffered a torn ligament in his left shoulder and a dislocated sternoclavicular joint. Present in the paddock at the Qatar Grand Prix on Friday, April 11th – his first appearance since the incident – Oliveira delivered a mixed assessment and sparked an unexpected debate on the safety of airbags in MotoGP.
On his first return to the MotoGP paddock in Qatar, Olive tree shared details about his recovery and his perspective on his injury. My recovery is going well. For the first three weeks, I had to keep my arm completely still, which explains my lack of mobility. But I no longer have pain. I cannot yet give a precise date for my return. We don't know if I'll be able to resume before the week before Jerez.,” he explained.
Besides his comments on the injury itself, Olive tree also expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the airbag system as part of driver safety. While he acknowledges that the airbag is an important safety feature, he believes the system could be improved.
Miguel Oliveira: “ I would like to see a discussion about airbag regulations. »
Olive tree pointed out that despite the airbag, he still suffered injuries to his shoulder and sternum. I'm not sure the airbag is such a big safety benefit. I didn't break my collarbone, but I injured my shoulder and sternum. And Collarbone fractures still occur, even with airbags"
As an experienced pilot and trained dentist, Olive tree expressed his willingness to see a serious discussion on improving airbags. He emphasized on motorsport magazine Every rider has a different body shape and the cut of the leather suit also plays an important role in protection. I would like to see a discussion about airbag regulations. Every leather suit manufacturer must comply with the regulations, So he should probably address this topic with the FIM. »
Olive tree calls for a review of safety standards to better adapt airbag systems to the individual needs of drivers and thus improve their protection, particularly in situations where airbags may not provide optimal protection.
