MotoGP – What have the Red Bull Ring done to turn 3?

Following the horrific accident in the MotoGP race last weekend at the Austrian GP, the Red Bull Ring now has a longer catch fence at turn 3.

There is now an air fence with solid barriers much closer to the track, in an attempt to prevent bikes flying through the air and potentially collecting a rider. We saw the issue with the track when the bikes of both Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli almost collected the Monster Yamaha duo of Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi.

How close Valentino Rossi came to disaster.

With the new turn 3 catch fence, the theory is that bikes will not be able to return to the track if there is a repeat of the incident. The bikes should be caught by the fence which dramatically improves safety, but the flipside of that is the risk a rider may slide under the air fence as can happen, and behind it is a solid piece of concrete. This is MotoGP however, and will always carry a certain element of risk.

Overall, the Red Bull Ring and Dorna should be applauded, they have quickly and effectively brought a measure in that improves rider safety dramatically. That can only be a good thing.

Featured images- www.motogp.com