Moto3 Rider Jason Dupasquier Dies After Italian GP Qualifying Crash

Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquier passed away earlier today, after suffering brain damage during yesterday's Italian GP qualifying at Mugello. The rider crashed at the Arrabbiata 2 right-hander at Turn 9 at the end of qualifying while on a flying lap. The 19-year-old was airlifted to the hospital and underwent surgery but could not be saved. According to AFP, he underwent chest surgery overnight "for a vascular lesion with severe brain damage."

We're deeply saddened to report the loss of Jason Dupasquier

On behalf of the entire MotoGP family, we send our love to his team, his family and loved ones

You will be sorely missed, Jason. Ride in peace pic.twitter.com/nZCzlmJsVi

— MotoGP (@MotoGP) May 30, 2021

Dupasquier fell and was struck by Tech 3 KTM rider Ayumu Sasaki. The KTM rider was following Dupasquier at the time and could do nothing to avoid him. Sasaki launched in the air but walked away from the incident while Dupasquier had to be taken to the hospital in a serious condition at the Careggia hospital in Florence.

In a statement, the FIM said, "Dupasquier was involved in a multi-rider incident between Turns 9 and 10, with the session red-flagged thereafter. FIM Medical Intervention Vehicles arrived at the site immediately and the Swiss rider was attended to on track before being transferred by medical helicopter, in a stable state, to Careggi Hospital in Florence. Despite the best efforts of circuit medical staff and all those subsequently attending to the Swiss rider, the hospital has announced that Dupasquier has sadly succumbed to his injuries. The FIM, IRTA, MSMA and Dorna Sports pass on our deepest condolences to Dupasquier's family, friends, team and loved ones."

Dupasquier's team, Pruestel GP, pulled out of Sunday's race following the accident, while rider Thomas Luthi withdrew from his Moto2 race to be with the deceased rider's family. MotoGP rider Quartararo dedicated his yesterday's record-smashing pole position to Dupasquier at the end of the session.

The young rider made his road racing debut in 2016 and won the ADAC Moto3 championship that year, followed by the CEV Junior Moto3 World Championship in 2017. He later competed in the Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2019, before making his Moto3 debut last year with Pruestel GP.

In the 2021 season, Dupasquier had scored points in all races so far with the best result of P7 in the Spanish GP. The rider was placed 10th in the championship standings with a total of 27 points to his name from the five races.

Dupasquie is the first grand prix rider to lose his life in a race in five years, since Moto2 rider Luis Salom passed away from injuries sustained due to a crash during practice in the 2016 Catalan GP.