MotoGP: Raul Fernandez Reveals Fault In Miguel Oliveira British Grand Prix Crash

Raul Fernandez's British MotoGP crash triggered an unfortunate chain of events that led to both him and his teammate, Miguel Oliveira, being unable to finish the race.

Apr 14, 2024; Austin, TX, USA; Raul Fernandez (25) of Spain and Trackhouse Racing rides in warmups before the start of the MotoGP Grand Prix of The Americas at Circuit of The Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

MotoGP rider Raul Fernandez experienced a crash during the British Grand Prix that inadvertently led to the downfall of his teammate, Miguel Oliveira, catastrophically impacting the Trackhouse team before the race completed its first lap.

Fernandez lost control and crashed. This caused his RS-GP24 bike to continue sliding across the track, aligning fatefully into Oliveira's path, resulting in both riders being unable to finish the race and the team earning no points.

Post-race, Fernandez issued a heartfelt apology for the chaos his crash caused. He commented to the media:

"First of all I would like to say sorry to the team. I crashed and the moment I was on the ground my bike touched Miguel and also, I caused the crash for Miguel."

The decision to switch from a soft to a hard front tire right before the race, made in response to the changing weather conditions, seemed crucial. Fernandez noted:

"Honestly, it is quite difficult because we had a lot of problems with the soft and when we were on the grid we decided to use the hard front. 

"We found that it was a the right choice but at the start of the race maybe I did a small mistake with a full tank and with the light rain. 

"I crashed. I didn't touch Miguel before the crash. I crashed and my bike then touched Miguel. 

"But I cannot say many things. We worked really well and I felt really bad with myself. 

"It was an important weekend for the team and because of my crash they didn't get any points.

"I didn't crash with him [said Fernandez when asked if he went to race control], I crashed and then my bike touched him. It was not anyone's fault."

2024 MotoGP British Grand Prix Results

1. Enea Bastianini, Ducati Lenovo Team - 39:51.879
2. Jorge Martín, Prima Pramac Racing - +1.931
3. Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Lenovo Team - +5.866
4. Marc Márquez, Gresini Racing MotoGP - +6.906
5. Fabio Di Giannantonio, Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team - +7.736
6. Aleix Espargaró, Aprilia Racing - +9.514
7. Álex Márquez, Gresini Racing MotoGP - +9.741
8. Marco Bezzecchi, Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team - +14.016
9. Pedro Acosta, Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 - +16.386
10. Franco Morbidelli, Prima Pramac Racing - +23.609
11. Fabio Quartararo, Monster Energy Yamaha - +24.202
12. Jack Miller, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing - +25.767
13. Maverick Viñales, Aprilia Racing - +26.751
14. Johann Zarco, LCR Honda - +26.953
15. Luca Marini, Repsol Honda - +31.507
16. Takaaki Nakagami, LCR Honda - +37.278
17. Augusto Fernández, Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 - +37.605
18. Remy Gardner, Monster Energy Yamaha - +59.137
19. Joan Mir, Repsol Honda - NC
20. Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing - NC
21. Raúl Fernández, Trackhouse Racing MotoGP - NC
22. Miguel Oliveira, Trackhouse Racing MotoGP - NC