Monday, May 31, 2021
After an accidental death of 19-year-old
Motorcycling is in shock
Top talent Jason Dupasquier is the first person to be killed in an accident in motorcycle racing since 2016. He died at the age of 19 in the Moto3 qualifying race in Italy. The Swiss death puts the scene in shock.
The accidental death of motorcycle top talent Jason Dupasquier shocked the world of horsepower seriously. The 19-year-old Swiss, who drove for the Saxon Prüstel team in the Moto3 World Championship, succumbed to serious injuries on Sunday after a fall in Mugello. The “deepest condolences” go to his family and loved ones, conveyed the world association and the organizers of the Italian Grand Prix. Despite the first death in the motorcycle world championship in five years, the races in Mugello were held on Sunday. The paddock later observed a minute’s silence.
Dupasquier had a serious fall in qualifying the day before and had to be flown by helicopter to the hospital in Florence after half an hour’s treatment on the route. There he was operated on in the chest area on Sunday night – he did not survive. A spokesman for the Careggi Hospital confirmed his death. “We are devastated, and at this moment all our thoughts are with Jason’s family. You will be sorely missed and never forgotten, Jason,” wrote the Prüstel team.
“Devastated”
A number of Formula 1 teams were also dismayed by the tragedy. “Devastated by this tragic news. Deepest condolences and prayers for Jason’s family,” tweeted Jean Todt, former Formula 1 team boss and current president of the international automobile association Fia.
The young Swiss is the 30th death in the history of the World Cup since 1970. In the recent past, serious accidents have happened less often due to greater safety and protection measures. In the past 21 years since the turn of the millennium, five drivers have died as a result of serious accidents on the racetrack. Before Dupasquier, the Spaniard Luis Salom had died in 2016 and the Italian Marco Simoncelli in 2011 after falls.
The doctors had done everything for Dupasquier, but could no longer save him, it was said. The young pilot had also suffered severe brain damage in the accident. This could have arisen when the following drivers could no longer evade and touched the fallen victim, if not rolled over him. However, the television images could not explain the course of the accident.
“Ride in Peace”
Dupasquier’s parents came to Florence on Saturday to be with their son. Moto2 rider Tom Lüthi, a compatriot of Dupasquier, and his Japanese Moto3 team-mate Ryusei Yamanaka did not start on Sunday. Lüthi also went to see his compatriot in the hospital.
Dupasquier from the small town of Freiburg in western Switzerland was a great racing driver. He had “made an impressive start to his second season in the lightweight class of Grand Prix racing, in which he consistently scored points and was among the top ten in the overall standings,” said the world association FIM. “You will be sorely missed, Jason. Ride in peace.”
Serious accidents occur even after the enormous safety efforts in motorcycle racing. The driver’s body is protected by protectors and airbags in the leather racing suit, the head by the hard-wearing helmet. However, the unprotected neck area remains a risk.
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