Enea Bastianini has criticised the existing MotoGP safety commission by becoming the most recent rider to call for a riders’ union.
There has been growing unrest from some of the riders about the lack of real safety measures implemented over the grand prix weekend, further exacerbated by the failure to consult riders on key changes like the introduction of Sprint races and potential street circuits.
Bastianini himself has expressed concerns about the new Balaton Park circuit after his scary crash at the chicane last year almost saw him collected by the pack of riders behind.
The Italian rider admitted he is curious to see how the corner will be when MotoGP returns to Hungary in June, as he doesn’t believe the safety commissions “resolve the problem” to the riders’ wishes.
In fact, Bastianini revealed he has “not been to any safety commissions” in 2026 because he believes that those in charge do not listen to the riders’ concerns.
“We have the safety commission but it’s very difficult to talk in the safety commission and be satisfied for the future, if I’m honest,” Bastianini told Motorsport Magazine.
“Because we talk a lot every time but things don’t always change. I’m a bit disappointed about this, so this year I’ve not been to any safety commissions.
“I’m very curious to see how the corner where I crashed at Balaton will be. If it’s the same, what can we do? We can talk, talk, talk, but we need to resolve the problem, not talk.”
For a number of years there have been external calls for MotoGP riders to unionise for their own health and safety, however it’s rare that MotoGP riders themselves actively call for a riders’ union.
Bastianini bucked this trend by suggesting there have been discussions over a representative body for the riders, but admitted the most recent talks came more than three years ago.
The Italian rider also shared his hopes that this will happen at some stage.
“We need to do something different. Three years ago we started talking about making something new [a representative body] for the riders, because there’s IRTA for the teams and nothing for the riders.
“For safety and for many other things, I hope we will have something because for us it will be a different world.”
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