Difficult Start for Quartararo: Injury After Collision at MotoGP Italy

MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo has sent shockwaves through the paddock after suffering a high-speed crash and dislocating his left shoulder during the first official practice session of the 2025 Italian Grand Prix at Mugello. The terrifying incident unfolded just ten minutes into Friday’s session, cutting short what had been an optimistic start to the weekend for the Yamaha Factory Racing rider.

Yet, in true Quartararo fashion, the Frenchman refused to stay down. After a heroic attempt to continue riding, despite clearly being in pain, Quartararo was ultimately sent to a hospital in Florence for further evaluation, leaving fans and paddock insiders anxiously awaiting updates on his condition.

Fast Crash at Turn 4: Quartararo’s Front-End Let Go

The crash occurred at the fast left-right flick of Turn 4, a notoriously challenging part of the Mugello circuit. Fabio Quartararo, who was looking sharp early in the session, lost the front end of his Yamaha M1 as he turned into the corner.

The bike tucked underneath him, and the 2021 MotoGP World Champion hit the tarmac violently on his left shoulder, before sliding off into the gravel trap with the bike tumbling beside him. The impact was harsh. Trackside footage showed Quartararo rolling through the gravel, before coming to a halt and immediately clutching his shoulder.

Riders and team personnel watching from the pit wall knew something was wrong. Quartararo remained on the ground for an extended time, signaling a serious injury. Marshals rushed to his aid, while medics prepared for intervention.

Shoulder Dislocation Confirmed: A Recurring Nightmare

As medical crews reached the scene, it became clear that Quartararo had dislocated his left shoulder, a recurring injury that has haunted him throughout his career. The Frenchman was visibly grimacing in pain, but even more striking was his refusal to be sidelined.

“In the crash, Fabio dislocated his left shoulder, something that has happened to him before,” said Dr. Angel Charte, MotoGP’s medical director. “He popped it back into place himself, as he’s done on other occasions.”

The fact that Quartararo was able to reduce the dislocation on his own, in the gravel trap no less, speaks volumes about both the severity of the pain and his incredible mental grit.

Despite clearly struggling, Quartararo demanded to be allowed back on track, even engaging in a verbal exchange with marshals about the fastest way to return his bike to the garage. His determination stunned even the veteran marshals at Mugello.

Back on the Bike: Pure Grit from the World Champion

After returning to the Yamaha box, Quartararo underwent a quick on-site check by Dr. Charte, who administered an anti-inflammatory injection and cleared him for a brief return to track action. Against all odds, Quartararo re-mounted his bike and completed the session, finishing an astonishing fifth fastest.

This result ensured automatic entry into Q2, sparing him from the chaotic Q1 fight. More importantly, it showcased just how competitive Quartararo remains – even when his body is far from 100%.

His determination didn’t go unnoticed. Team members, fellow riders, and fans on social media immediately hailed the Frenchman’s grit.

“He’s a warrior,” one MotoGP fan posted. “Shoulder out and he still makes top five? Unreal.”

However, the celebrations were short-lived.

Hospital Trip Ordered: Safety First

After the adrenaline wore off, and as the effects of the anti-inflammatory began to fade, Dr. Charte made the call to send Fabio Quartararo to hospital in Florence for a precautionary MRI scan on his left shoulder. Given the recurring nature of the injury, the medical team needed to assess the extent of any ligament or tendon damage, which could have long-term implications.

“I allowed him to go back out, but now we’re sending him to a hospital in Florence to get an MRI scan on his left shoulder,” Dr. Charte confirmed.

The result of that scan will determine whether Quartararo can continue participating in the rest of the Italian GP weekend – a weekend that is crucial for both his championship hopes and for Yamaha’s season turnaround effort.

History Repeating: Quartararo’s Ongoing Shoulder Struggles

This is not the first time that Fabio Quartararo has dislocated his shoulder. Earlier in his career, particularly during his Moto2 days, he suffered multiple shoulder subluxations and underwent rehabilitation. The issue seemed to have quieted in recent years, but Friday’s crash raises concerns about its long-term stability.

MotoGP riders place incredible strain on their shoulders under braking and while muscling the bike through rapid transitions – especially at a track like Mugello with its aggressive changes of direction. If the shoulder remains vulnerable, it could compromise not just his race pace but also his confidence.

Medical experts in the paddock suggest that repeated shoulder dislocations can eventually lead to chronic instability, which may require surgical intervention – something no rider wants mid-season.

Brave Performance Underlines Championship Ambitions

Even with the uncertainty surrounding his fitness, Quartararo’s pace in the session reminded everyone of why he’s a former world champion. Finishing P5 on a track where Yamaha has historically struggled with rear grip and top-end power shows that the 25-year-old is still among the elite – even in pain.

Yamaha engineers have worked hard over the winter to address traction and stability issues, and Quartararo’s feedback has been central to that development. With improvements in braking performance and exit drive, Mugello was seen as a litmus test for their 2025 progress.

Now, the story has shifted from bike performance to rider resilience – and Quartararo is proving, once again, that he has both the talent and the toughness.

Team Yamaha Responds: Focus on Recovery and Strategy

The Yamaha Factory Racing team issued a brief statement confirming Quartararo’s injury and hospital visit, noting that a full update would follow pending the results of the scan. Team Manager Maio Meregalli praised Quartararo’s attitude but emphasized the priority is on his health.

“Fabio showed incredible heart today, but we will follow the medical advice very closely. We’re proud of his effort and await the scan results to make the best decision for his wellbeing,” said Meregalli.

The team has a contingency plan in place, should Quartararo be ruled out for Saturday or Sunday. Reserve rider options are limited this late in the weekend, but Yamaha could call on a test rider if necessary. However, all signs point to Quartararo fighting to continue.

Championship Implications: Can Quartararo Afford to Miss Mugello?

Heading into the Italian GP, Quartararo sat fourth in the world championship standings, within striking distance of the leaders. With multiple podiums in the previous rounds and signs of growing Yamaha competitiveness, Mugello was viewed as a turning point.

Should Quartararo be forced to withdraw, he could lose valuable points and momentum. The tight nature of the 2025 title fight – which includes riders from Ducati, KTM, Aprilia, and even Tech3 – means every point matters. Even finishing outside the top five while injured could be better than not scoring at all.

It’s a delicate balance: push through injury to stay in the title hunt, or play the long game to avoid aggravating a chronic condition.

Mugello Crowd Rallies Behind the Frenchman

The passionate Mugello fans – typically Ducati-leaning – gave Quartararo a warm ovation upon his return to the pits. Known for their appreciation of courage and drama, Italian fans responded to his gutsy ride with applause, even though he’s not on one of the local machines.

Social media was also flooded with support for Fabio, with hashtags like #ForzaFabio and #QuartararoWarrior trending shortly after the session.

It’s moments like these that remind fans why MotoGP is one of the most demanding sports on earth – physically, mentally, and emotionally.

What’s Next: Waiting for the MRI Results

As of now, Quartararo’s participation in Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race remains uncertain. The final decision will rest with the doctors and the team after reviewing the MRI scan results. If there’s no major ligament damage, it’s likely that Quartararo will continue – albeit in significant discomfort.

If cleared, the question becomes: Can he still compete at the front despite the injury?

Given his FP1 pace, never count him out. Fabio Quartararo’s spirit is unbreakable, and if the bike holds up and the pain remains manageable, he could still leave Mugello with a result that defines his season.