Fabio Quartararo of France won the Italian Grand Prix held at Mugello, while Miguel Oliveira of Portugal and Joan Mir of Spain finished second and third respectively. The death of Swiss rider Dupasquier, 19, during Saturday’s Moto3 qualifying session, however, cast a pall over the weekend. Fabio Quartararo said his victory in the MotoGP Italian Grand Prix was not a pleasant feeling and dedicated it to Jason Dupasquier.
Quartararo said, “you achieve a win, but we lose one of our friends.” Before the race, a minute of silence was observed in honour of Dupasquier. “To start the race after that one minute of silence was really difficult. Every time at turn nine I was thinking of Jason, and this win was for him”, he added. The Yamaha rider paid tribute to Dupasquier by stopping his bike on the track for a few seconds and having his name printed on his helmet, as well as displaying the Swiss national flag at the finish line.
Jason Dupasquier, the 19-year-old Swiss Moto3 rider, died from injuries sustained in a crash during qualifying at the Italian Grand Prix, according to organisers MotoGP. On Twitter, MotoGP wrote, “We’re deeply saddened to report the loss of Jason Dupasquier. On behalf of the entire MotoGP family, we send our love to his team, his family and loved ones. You will be sorely missed, Jason. Ride in peace.”
Dupasquier suffered brain damage which was rendered “incompatible with life” by the multi-bike collision in Mugello on Saturday, according to the Careggi hospital in Florence, which is treating him. Dupasquier, who is in his second season in Moto3, fell during qualifying and was hit by at least one bike before sliding down the circuit. Doctors arrived on the scene immediately and had him evacuated to the hospital after tending to him for 40 minutes on the circuit.
Quartararo now leads the MotoGP championship by 24 points over Johann Zarco of France, who finished fourth in the race. After crashing out early, Francesco Bagnaia of Italy fell to third in the championship standings.
