Luca Marini suffers chest pain after MotoGP

Honda's Luca Marini says a piece of bodywork struck him in the chest during the Austrian MotoGP, causing considerable pain. The incident occurred early in the race, which Marini finished in 14th position.

Marini described the chaotic start. "I just did a bad first lap," he said. "I had some contacts with the guys behind. A little bit of chaos and I was really in the back, really last." He then adopted a conservative strategy, managing his rear tyre and fuel while hoping rivals ahead would lose grip. That plan largely failed, with only two other riders experiencing significant tyre drop-off.

Bodywork Impact Causes Pain

The race was further complicated when Marini was hit by debris. He believes it was a wing from Fabio Quartararo's Yamaha M1. I saw a blue piece that hit me in the braking of turn four, Marini explained. He attempted to avoid it but was struck in the chest.

The impact was severe. I had a lot of pain for those two corners, he said. While the acute pain subsided, he reported lingering discomfort after the race. Marini expressed relief the situation was not worse, acknowledging the potential danger of such an impact at racing speeds.

Weekend Progress Reversed

Marini's weekend had begun with promise. He was inside the top ten during the first practice session and came close to securing a direct place in the second qualifying segment. His competitiveness faded as track conditions evolved.

It started well because the grip was low for everybody, Marini said. Then for the other guys, it looks like it improved; for me, it's still a disaster. The Honda rider and his team tried extensive setup changes in search of more grip, but reported no positive effect.

Persistent Tyre Temperature Struggle

A specific technical challenge dominated Marini's race. He struggled excessively with the temperature of the harder-construction Michelin rear tyre used at the Red Bull Ring, a compound that also troubled Ducati riders.

I struggle a lot with this tyre, Marini stated. He reported high levels of wheel spin despite a cautious riding style that avoided aggressive throttle application and the use of the ride-height device. His rear tyre temperature remained a persistent issue.

I just try to keep the temperature as low as possible, but even like this, I have 20 degrees more than the other Honda riders, he said. Marini suggested his taller stature and greater weight compared to his teammates might be a factor, but concluded it was a particularly tough event. He finished as the third-best Honda rider, behind Johann Zarco and stand-in rider Takaaki Nakagami.