Enea Bastianini has raised urgent concerns about the Balaton Park Circuit’s safety following a frightening crash during the Hungarian Grand Prix last month. The Tech 3 KTM rider survived a terrifying opening lap incident that exposed risks at the newly introduced Hungarian track.
On the first lap, Bastianini lost control entering the opening chicane, sliding across the track and coming to a stop just ahead of other riders navigating Turn 2. Fortunately, all competitors managed to avoid him and his bike, preventing what could have been a serious collision.
Details of the crash and the challenges posed by Balaton Park
Bastianini’s accident happened when he lost the front end of his KTM while negotiating the small chicane. He explained that the narrow nature of the corner makes crashes like his almost inevitable without modifications.
The chicane is very small, and it’s easy for something like what happened to me to occur,
This time we were lucky — and I was especially lucky. But it would be good to make some changes in certain sections of the track to improve safety.
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3
Criticism of the Balaton Park Circuit has focused on its tight layout, limited passing zones, and safety concerns. Bastianini’s experience confirmed these issues, as he encountered multiple incidents during race weekend.
Bastianini’s weekend incidents illustrate track risks
Before the crash, Bastianini was involved in two separate incidents during the sprint race’s opening lap. Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo misjudged braking at Turn 1, making contact with Bastianini from behind while narrowly avoiding other riders. This collision damaged Bastianini’s rear height device, which contributed to another crash occurring after he collided with Johann Zarco’s Honda.
I already said before the race that I think the track is fantastic, and the feeling on the bike is very good. But in the race, you get scared,
Bastianini admitted, reflecting on his mixed emotions about the circuit.
Other riders’ crashes highlight the circuit’s dangers
Bastianini’s teammate Pedro Acosta also experienced the hazards firsthand when he crashed during qualifying. Acosta’s KTM hit the barriers at high speed before rebounding into the air and striking a trackside camera. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and both Acosta and the cameraman escaped unharmed.
Implications for the future of Balaton Park in MotoGP
The incidents at Balaton Park have sparked a broader debate within the MotoGP paddock about the track’s suitability for high-speed racing. Bastianini’s warning and the crashes involving other riders underscore the need for safety improvements to avoid more serious accidents in the future. As the MotoGP calendar moves forward, the focus will likely intensify on addressing these safety concerns to protect riders and ensure competitive racing.
