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Heat-Soaked Assen Practice Raises Safety Alarms After Crash Spree

Split rider reactions to extreme track temperatures are prompting calls for procedural safety changes before Sunday.

Overview

  • Friday practice at the Dutch Grand Prix was run in a European heatwave and was incident-packed, with Alex Márquez’s crash causing a red flag and Fermin Aldeguer taken to hospital.
  • Ambient temperatures reached about 35–36°C and track surfaces warmed toward 50°C, conditions riders say produced heavy tyre wear and a marked drop in long-run pace.
  • Several riders, including Francesco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini, blamed the heat and tyre degradation for the crashes and suggested measures such as shortening the 27-lap race or a formal weather protocol.
  • Other riders, notably Luca Marini and Marc Márquez, disputed that heat was the main cause and pointed to riders pushing limits and a known bump at turn seven as factors that can unsettle the front end.
  • Forecasts show cooler conditions around 30°C by Sunday, no official schedule or distance changes have been announced, and the weekend’s events have renewed calls for clear procedures on weather, tyres and rider welfare.