The seven-time MotoGP world champion, Valetino Rossi, has called on his fellow riders to act more responsibly during races following Sunday’s horrific accident which nearly claimed his life at the Austrian Grand Prix.

The 41-year-old narrowly escaped death when the bikes of both Franco Morbidelli and Johann Zarco missed him and Maverick Viñales by mere inches at turn three.

Morbidelli and Zarco crashed while riding at 300km per hour, sending their bikes towards the riders turning.

Rossi has called on the other riders to be more respectful of the dangers of the sport.

“Now everyone is very aggressive in MotoGP and in the small classes.

“All the riders need to have respect for the other riders because we must not forget that this sport is very dangerous, especially at a track where you have long straights where you often go over 300.

“Now many riders, also in the smaller classes, brake and close the door in the face of other riders.

“Zarco was very wide, braking in the face of Franco, maybe to stop Franco overtaking him during braking.

“I spoke with Zarco and he said he didn’t do it on purpose. Aggression is good but braking in the face of another rider at 300 is a potential disaster. 

“In the last few years, the level of aggression has increased a lot because everybody tries very hard, which is good, but all the riders must think about this.”

South Africa’s Brad Binder, who finished in fourth says he saw how close Morbidelli’s bike came to take Rossi out.

“It’s not such a problem on the smaller bikes but on a MotoGP bike you’re rolling in there at more than 300 kays and you’re pulling the front brake with 50 degrees of lean angle, so it’s quite normal to tuck the front there, which is quite scary.

“The runoff is enough. It’s just the problem that anything that happens at Turn Two is going to get people preparing for turn three.”

“I have to say Valentino is the luckiest guy in the world. I literally watched Franco’s bike jump straight over his head.”

The riders and teams remain in Spielberg this week for the BMW M Grand Prix of Styria.

Watch the terrifying crash at the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix

@MorganPiek OFM Sport