Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
The Qatar Grand Prix was red flagged on lap 2 due to a nasty crash suffered by Francesco Bagnaia.
The Ducati rider collided with Fermin Aldeguer and needed a stretcher to be removed from the track.
Thankfully, the two-time MotoGP champion was able to direct a thumbs up at the camera before being taken to the medical centre.
Bagnaia was in the midst of a rare strong weekend in 2026, qualifying sixth.
Things then got even better as he passed teammate and championship leader Marc Marquez into Turn 1.
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Marquez got the place back, with Bagnaia dropping down to fifth.
Bagnaia comes down with a thump
However, as he challenged Raul Fernandez for fourth, Aldeguer went in deep and clipped his rear wheel, sending the No.63 airborne.
Bagnaia hit the deck with an almighty thump, and the race was quickly red-flagged, sending the rest of the 18-man grid back to the pit lane.
With the race set to restart, MotoGP confirmed that Bagnaia had been taken to the medical centre and Aldeguer had been handed a long lap penalty.
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