The 2021 MotoGP Styrian GP was red-flagged just after the second lap due to a fireball incident involving riders Dani Pedrosa and Lorenzo Savadori. The 27-lap race at the Red Bull ring was brought to a halt after KTM wildcard entry Pedrosa lost his front-end at Turn 3 while running 12th. The Spanish rider's KTM RC16 was left on the racing line even as Pedrosa slid away, and the fast-approaching Savadori on the Aprilia couldn't do much to avoid it.
Savadori collided with the stranded KTM that burst into flames, immediately bringing out the red flags. While Pedrosa was up and safe quickly, Savadori was moved out by the paramedics on a stretcher. However, the rider was seen speaking to the medical staff on the side of the track. He has been taken to the medical centre for further checks. Meanwhile, Pedrosa will be restarting the race on his spare bike.
Dani Pedrosa makes his return to the MotoGP grid for the first time since the Valencia GP in 2018
The Styrian GP will restart for a 26 lap run and will follow the original qualifying order with Pramac Ducati's Jorge Martin on pole position, followed by Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia, followed by Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo.
Pedrosa returned to the grid for the first time after announcing his retirement at the end of the 2018 season. The rider stepped in the role of a test rider at KTM and has been an integral part of the team's MotoGP development program. Incidentally, this is the third consecutive rag flag during the Styrian GP. The 2020 season saw both races at the circuit get the red flag in major incidents, which continues this year as well.
