Pecco Bagnaia didn't mince words. Two weeks after the terrible accident involving José Antonio Rueda and Noah Dettwiler during the reconnaissance lap of the Malaysian Moto3 Grand Prix, the two-time Ducati world champion strongly criticized the way MotoGP communicated about the riders' condition, speaking of a "loss of credibility" for the championship.
The incident occurred even before the start of the Moto3 race at Sepang: a violent collision between Wheel et Dettwilerrequiring emergency medical intervention on the runway and helicopter transport to Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
In the hours that followed, the official narrative proved confusing: the live broadcast announced "conscious" pilots, then a later statement failed to mention that Noah Dettwiler had actually suffered a cardiac arrest before being resuscitated on site.
Fortunately, both are now out of danger: Wheel suffers from a broken hand and a concussion, while Dettwiler, seriously injured, was declared fit to travel to Switzerland.
But the damage is done: the communication management is shocking the paddock.
Pecco Bagnaia: “ We were too quick to say that everything was fine. while nothing was going right »
Faced with this confusion, Pecco Bagnaia expressed a deep frustration with the media and decision-making haste surrounding the championship:
« I think we live in a time where Everyone wants to show that they know everything The one who announces the news first is the one who benefits the most.. There was a real rush to say that everything was fine, when in fact nothing was. »
And the tone hardens: when a pilot does a cardiac arrestThe situation is much more serious. In my opinion, Sometimes more tact is needed in decisions and statements. »
bagnaiawho had already made no secret of his opposition to holding the race Moto3believes that the championship's management prioritized image over caution.
The pilot Ducati recalls a painful precedent: the tragedy of Mugello 2021, which occurred shortly after the tragic death of Jason dupasquier.
« I remember very well having lack of concentration that day. Certain situations should be managed with more calm »
In his view, race control should have delayed, or even cancelled, the start, to allow time to properly assess the seriousness of the incident.
« The Moto3 race should not have startedIn this specific case, deciding not to start is a possible option. »
bagnaia He also confirmed that he would raise the issue in the Safety Commission, calling for a complete review of communication and decision-making protocols after serious accidents.
Several MotoGP riders have supported the Italian champion's position, denouncing a lack of humanity and transparency in the management of the crisis in Sepang.
The general feeling is clear: MotoGP, too quick to preserve its image, has lost some of the trust of the public and the riders.
The words of bagnaia resonate as a direct warning to Dorna and FIM The obsession with instant communication should never overshadow the respect due to the seriousness of an accident.
In a sport where the lives of the drivers are constantly at stake, the world champion recalls a simple truth: the credibility of MotoGP It is not measured by media reaction time, but by integrity.
