The decision not to stop Fabio Quartararo after his suit opened completely did not appeal to many. By allowing the Frenchman to continue his race, his safety was at risk, as it is easy to understand what could have happened if he had simply fallen.
At the end of the Grand Prix, Ducati and Suzuki submitted a report to race management asking for an explanation of the incident. Article 2.5.5.2, paragraph 1 of the regulations clearly states that the drivers must wear a helmet, suit, gloves, boots and back and chest protection (the latter Fabio lost when attempting to close his zipper). And what’s more: “For the time on the route, clothing must be worn and properly fastened.”
What happened to Quartararo clearly made him an “outlaw”. It wasn’t his fault, of course. The situation can be compared to a technical breakdown on a motorcycle. In this case, so as not to create a risk for the driver and EvaOtherwise, the driver will be stopped by a black flag with an orange circle in the middle warning them to return to the workshop to solve the problem.
Fabio, on the other hand, was not called up and ended the race, which endangered his safety.
Race Direction evaluates the report. We will follow up with updates as they become available.