Jorge Lorenzo says a mechanical fault with Ducati caused him to have a “scary” highside crash at Turn 3 during MotoGP FP2 in Thailand, and is unsure if we will continue with the weekend.
Lorenzo was launched from his Desmosedici when the rear of the bike came round on him under braking with just under 15 minutes of the second session remaining, which led to a brief red flag period.
The Spaniard was stretchered off track and taken to the medical centre before being transferred to Buriram Hospital, where it was revealed he had only suffered heavy bruising to his left wrist and right ankle.
Lorenzo admits he was “worried” his already injured right foot – which he fractured in another highside during the Aragon race – “created a new crash”, but confirmed a technical issue was to blame.
“Looking at the crash, obviously I could be a lot worse right now,” said Lorenzo, who finished 16th on Friday.
“I could be much more injured, or injure another part that wasn't injured, or get worse the foot I have already injured.
“I don't know 100 percent, but almost 100 percent I don't have anything broken. So that's a very good sign, I've been very lucky for that because crash has been nasty.
“I am quiet, at this moment, because I know it was not my fault. I was a little bit worried to have the fall, because maybe I was thinking maybe my injury created a new crash.
“But was completely not my fault, because something was a technical problem with the bike and this caused the crash.
“It was scary, I was scared, about my foot because it hurts. I impact with the back and also the foot, and I was rolling a lot.
“So right foot was painful, later little by little I understood it didn't get worse than before. So I am lucky about that.”
Ducati has launched an investigation into the crash, but is confident it will not be an issue which will affect its other riders.
When asked if he will continue to compete this weekend, Lorenzo – who was passed fit by MotoGP doctors after the crash – admits he would not if the decision had to be taken immediately, but will wait until Saturday morning to assess his condition.
“If you ask me now, I would say no because the last fracture, the last injury is a little bit worse.
“It's not more broken, but it's a little bit more painful, but apart from this, I have on my left wrist a big contusion, and also the right ankle, big contusion, I cannot put the foot on the ground.
“So if you ask me now, I will say no, but I don't want to say something too quickly. So I will wait till tonight, to see how I feel tomorrow morning.”
