Fabio Quartararo partially dislocates his left shoulder in a training crash – Despite pain, he still finishes fifth – He can continue the Mugello weekend
Fabio Quartararo caused a scare during Friday practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello. In the afternoon session, the Frenchman crashed after eleven minutes on his sixth lap in the Materassi corner (turn 4) and was initially left lying in the gravel in pain.
As the marshals rushed to his aid, he pointed to his left shoulder. Quartararo eventually got back to his feet and the situation seemed to be under control. Back with the Yamaha team, the Frenchman was examined by MotoGP doctor Angel Charte.
After changing his leathers, Quartararo returned to the track for six more laps and set his personal best time at that point. After another chat with Charte, Quartararo continued training.
In his final flying lap, the former world champion set the fifth-fastest time of the day, qualifying directly for Q2. After practice, Quartararo was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Florence.
In the evening, Yamaha confirmed that all test results were positive, meaning he will be able to return to the track on Saturday. “The crash itself was fairly harmless, but I had pain in my shoulder,” said Quartararo.
As it turned out, the 26-year-old had partially dislocated his left shoulder in the crash. “Fortunately, there is no lasting damage,” said team director Massimo Meregali with relief. “He’s a tough guy and loves Mugello.”
“We would like to thank the marshals and medical staff who assisted him.” They reset his shoulder at the scene of the accident. “The lap times he set despite the pain were exceptional,” praised Meregalli.
Quartararo was also the best Yamaha rider on Friday, finishing fifth. His teammate Alex Rins followed in seventh. The Pramac duo Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller narrowly missed out on a place in the top 10.
Quartararo is wearing a special helmet design at Mugello, inspired by the character “Toothless” from the movie “How to Train Your Dragon.” In keeping with the green eyes on the helmet, his start number 20 is also green this time instead of red.
