# Fabio Quartararo MotoGP performance and safety concerns

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fabio-quartararo-motogp-performance-and-safety-concerns
> Updated: 2026-10-23T05:11:56.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 3.

MotoGP rider Fabio Quartararo has faced recent challenges regarding race performance, technical formats, and circuit safety.

During the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, Quartararo finished 17th after struggling with excessive rear tire wear. Following the race, he commented on potential changes to the MotoGP weekend structure for 2027, suggesting that the series should reduce the number of sprint races to approximately ten to twelve per season to better emulate Formula 1.

Later, during the Indonesian Grand Prix in Mandalika, Quartararo suffered a high-speed crash during a Friday practice session. Although he reported no broken bones, he experienced muscular pain in his shoulder and thumb, noting that the thumb injury could affect his use of the rear brake. Quartararo criticized the safety of the Mandalika circuit, specifically arguing that the gravel traps are too high relative to the asphalt, which causes riders to ‘bump in the air’ when entering the trap.

At the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island, Quartararo continued to struggle, finishing 15th in a practice session. He reported a significant lack of feeling with the front of his Yamaha M1, a technical issue exacerbated by the circuit’s high-speed, high-lean angle turns. As a result of these practice results, he was required to compete in Q1 to attempt qualification for the main race.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-23: Fabio Quartararo struggles during MotoGP practice in Australia

Fabio Quartararo struggled with front-end grip during MotoGP practice at Phillip Island, finishing 15th and forcing him into Q1 for qualifying.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fabio-quartararo-struggles-during-motogp-practice-in-australia

### 2026-10-09: Fabio Quartararo criticizes Mandalika safety after Indonesian GP crash

Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo escaped serious injury after a crash at the Indonesian MotoGP, but criticized the Mandalika circuit's gravel traps for being dangerously high.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fabio-quartararo-criticizes-mandalika-safety-after-indonesian-gp-crash

### 2026-09-26: Fabio Quartararo struggles at Austrian GP and critiques MotoGP sprint format

Fabio Quartararo finished 17th at the Austrian GP due to tire wear and has called for MotoGP to reduce the number of sprint races to align with the Formula 1 model.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fabio-quartararo-struggles-at-austrian-gp-and-critiques-motogp-sprint-format

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Cite as: Fabio Quartararo MotoGP performance and safety concerns. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fabio-quartararo-motogp-performance-and-safety-concerns