MotoGP Red Bull Ring 1 Valentino Rossi: “I was really scared, even now I don’t feel well”

Listening to him, in 26 seasons at the highest level of motorcycle racing, Valentino Rossi had never experienced such a moment of terror, such fear. Seeing the sinking motorcycles of Franco Morbidelli and Johann Zarco descend on him while he was on his racing path will remain etched in his memory for a moment. What impact can this type of incident have on the desire to continue in Grand Prix for a driver who is approaching 42? That's the whole question...

Valentino Rossi finished fifth in this Austrian Grand Prix eventful and first of the clan Yamaha who was roughed up, to say the least, at the Red Bull Ring. He grabs championship points from the leader fabio quartararo, eighth in this fourth meeting of the year. But what stays in his mind is not that…

After having posed the problem Johann zarco in this accident which will lead the next pilot safety meeting, Valentino Rossi admits to being shaken by this event which could have cost him dearly… “ How was it ? Scary, terrifying, dangerous he recalls. " I was very scared, we will have to see what will happen in the coming days. Now I am with my brother and Celestino Vietti, I will try to lead a normal life, to think about how to improve myself. This will help me ».

“The fault is the aggression which continues to increase”

The blow to morale is certain: “ the second start was a difficult moment, it wasn't easy to find concentration, but I had no choice. I didn't want to say ciao and go home. I just tried not to think about it, but that's not easy to do now either. I called my girlfriend who was destroyed, now I'm going to hear my mother speak ».

« I have to say a prayer to someone, to those who decide up there. I was really scared, even now I don't feel well, it was very dangerous » he keeps thinking. “ It's a bit of a dangerous track in places, especially when braking on the hairpin bends. However, I think that lack of respect for other runners is more dangerous ».

One last point that concerns him: “ they say it's a short championship, there are 15 races, there is pressure. I think that in Jerez the cause of the accidents was the heat, in Brno an asphalt with many holes and little grip, but in Austria the fault is the aggressiveness which continues to increase. Everyone wants to try, on the one hand it's good, but you shouldn't overdo it. Everyone must keep in mind that our sport is dangerous ».