Zarco and Morbidelli collided in the first of two Red Bull races last year at 200 miles per hour through the bend in Turn 2 at the Austrian venue. The Yamaha duo Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales just missed their faulty motorcycles at Turn 3.
Zarco was given a pit start for the incident while MotoGP had the circuit put a barrier up on the hill to stop a rerun of the Rossi / Vinales moment for the Styrian GP.
There has been a lot of discussion about the need to possibly change this stretch of the track to take out some of the speed riders who arrived at Turn 2.
In an interview with the German-language edition of Motorsport.com, Spielberg’s race director Andy Meklau confirmed that the layout itself will remain as it was in 2020.
He also announced that the wall at Turn 3 will stay in place while the gravel trap at the exit of Turn 2 and the approach to Turn 3 have been lengthened after Morbidelli’s bike was not slowed down enough after the crash.
“This is how it is homologated for 2021 and this is how we will contest the Grand Prix weekend,” said Meklau.
“Everything was implemented according to FIM requirements.
“The Red Bull Ring and the Spielberg project are doing everything they can to ensure the safety of the races.
“As the person in charge, I can only say that a race has to run safely for everyone involved, including the sports guide.
“Safety is the top priority. When the bikes get even faster, you can talk about a chicane again.
“You’ll see. It’s up to the FIM. You are responsible for making sure the route is safe and cleared.
“The racetracks adapt over the years. A racetrack evolves.
“Over the past ten years I have followed what we have implemented structurally in terms of security.
“That is exemplary. The Red Bull Ring is a showcase course. “
This year’s Austrian Grand Prix will take place on the weekend of August 15th as the first race after the summer break.