Jorge Martin’s start‑line error at the Hungarian Grand Prix in Balaton triggered a massive crash that eliminated five title contenders in the opening lap. The incident, which left most riders unhurt, immediately tightened the championship race, with Marc Marquez now just 72 points behind the leader.
Riders had been warning that Turn 1’s newly laid asphalt was dangerously slick. Iker Lecuona, who rode both the World Superbike and MotoGP events, described the grip as "horrible," while KTM’s Brad Binder joked that the surface seemed to be "made of oil" and was still seeping. Jack Miller said the resurfacing was a misunderstanding, noting the new tarmac hadn’t had time to settle before the MotoGP weekend.
A second factor was the use of ride‑height devices, which force riders into an unnatural braking maneuver at high speed. Miller argued that the devices add 15‑20 km/h to the entry speed and make it harder to unload the front wheel, a problem amplified by the slippery surface. The third element was rider over‑aggression; Fabio Di Giannantonio warned that the collective risk‑taking at the start could have caused a far worse tragedy.
The crash has reignited calls to ban the start‑line devices ahead of the 2027 season and may influence the decision to move the Hungarian round from Balaton Park to the Hungaroring. Fans will be watching closely how the championship reshapes as the season heads toward Brno, where Martin faces a double long‑lap penalty.
