A circuit built for cars may not be inherently safe for motorcycles. It is a fact that MotoGP confronted in Hungary during the first visit to Balaton Park in Hungary last weekend. The narrow circuit, described as monaco for bicycles, produced its most dramatic crash during the qualification on Saturday. The KTM of Pedro Acosta tumbled through a gravel trap and threw over the catchfence in a TV camera. Fortunately the cameraman was unharmed. Serial organizers, who apparently decide that the incident was a coincidence, sent the crew member back to the same position on Sunday.
Our cameraman, Joao, avoiding @37_pedroacostaThe bicycle impact is probably the most shocking video you will see today! 😮
We are so happy to see that he is in order! 🙏#Hungariongp 🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/O9SLLPDHT
– MotoGP ™ 🏁 (@motogp) August 23, 2025
Acosta dropped his bike while he followed KTM Stablemate Enea Bastianini through turn 8. The 21-year-old safely slipped his bike free from his bike because it essentially became a kinetic weapon. The RC16 throws parts while it tumbled, but it has not set speed. The bicycle emphasized the lack of drain and quickly reached the bloated air gate and launched in the raised camera position to hit the camera directly. The images simply show Red Bull brand bodywork that hits the lens. It is understandable that the cameraman left his equipment and clambered to the other side of the platform.
Issues go much deeper than just flying motorcycles
Despite the flying bike, the several open chicanes may be a more dangerous aspect of the design of Balaton Park. If a rider went to the first top, she and their motorcycle would slide over the exit after the second top. They would be directly on the path of oncoming motorcycles, the deadliest position in which a fallen rider could be. Balaton Park clearly does not want to draw attention to the dangers. According to Motorsport.comTrack Board -member Gianpaolo Matteucci said after Saturday’s running:
“The word ‘unique’ is one that we hear from the riders. They all love challenges and it is clear that our circuit has offered them this. Today the fans are certainly entertained and I am sure it will be the same for the Grand Prix tomorrow.”
Sunday’s playing race was a relatively clean affair with Marc Márquez who won his seventh consecutive Grand Prix, as a result of which his lead in the MotoGP title was extended to 175 points about his brother Onlex. It is only a matter of time until the older Márquez brother seals his ninth world championship. It will also only be a matter of time until MotoGP returns to Balaton Park. Series organizers drew a lucrative ten -year -old deal with the Hungarian government. The contract does not determine where MotoGP has to race in the country, but the series has a 2026 deal with the promoters of Balaton Park.
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