MotoGP rider Johann Zarco is undergoing surgery after a broken wrist was found in his fall at the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend, the Frenchman said on Tuesday.
The Avintia Ducati rider was involved in a high-speed crash with Franco Morbidellis Petronas Yamaha in the third corner in Spielberg on Sunday in Spielberg.
A medical examination on Monday revealed that Zarco had broken his right wrist. He will be operated on in Italy on Wednesday.
“This is the doctor who operated on many Ducati riders,” said Zarco. “Then we’ll come back to Austria and I’ll be on the track on Thursday to talk about the big incident on Sunday.”
Race stewards who have analyzed video material have not yet taken any action against a driver, but invited Zarco and Morbidelli to a meeting at the track “to better understand the circumstances”.
The ruling FIM spoke of its mission to “support drivers and contribute to their safety and training, as well as to impose all penalties required by FIM regulations”.
One of the most terrifying #MotoGP crashes we’ve ever seen !!! 😱Observe the accident on Turn 3 from all angles! … https://t.co/2lsw3BxS86
– MotoGP ™ 🏁 (@MotoGP) 1597622469000
Zarco said that if he is declared fit by the medical center, he will be available for the Styrian Grand Prix on Sunday, which will also be held at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.
The incident on Sunday sparked a backlash, with many drivers blaming the French for taking an unusual line when braking into a corner.
Morbidelli branded Zarco as “half a killer” after the race and said on Twitter on Monday that “someone has to pay for the mistake,” but the Frenchman claims he didn’t move on purpose while braking.
Avintia Ducati has defended Zarco, saying the bike’s telemetry data shows it didn’t brake early to cause a collision.