2011 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix

The 2011 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix was the seventeenth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of 21–23 October 2011 at the Sepang International Circuit, but the MotoGP race was red-flagged and subsequently cancelled after two laps due to a serious accident involving Marco Simoncelli.^[4] Simoncelli fell while running fourth, his bike and body veering across the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi. Simoncelli was fatally struck in the head and chest by the two bikes. He was taken straight to the circuit's medical centre, but died of his injuries shortly thereafter.^[5]

After qualifying, the Repsol Honda team locked out the front row of the grid. At the start of the twenty lap race, Casey Stoner took the led from Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso. Marco Simoncelli, in a Gresini Racing Honda, was fourth.

Exiting the right-handed wide Turn 11 on the second lap, Simoncelli loses traction in the front wheels into a "low-side" and veered into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, both of whom made contact with the fallen rider on their motorcycles. His helmet was separated from the rider as part of the impact from the incident. The race was immediately stopped. Edwards suffered a separated shoulder. Officials planned a 16.30 restart (meaning the procedure started for a restart at 16.50), with rules calling for a completely new twenty lap race scheduled with the remaining riders as three full laps had not been completed, which is required for an official race.^[6]

Because of the seriousness of Simoncelli's situation, the 20-minute restart procedure was indefinitely delayed.

MotoGP medical director Michele Macchiagodena stated to the media Simoncelli suffered cardiac arrest whilst in the ambulance. He noted, "Immediately in the Medical Centre, with the help also of the Doctor of our staff at the Clinica Mobile and local Doctors, he was intubated and it was possible to take off some blood from the thorax. The CPR was continued for 45 minutes because we tried to help him for as long as we thought it was possible. Unfortunately it was not possible to help him and at 16.56 we had to declare he was dead."^[7]

The race was completely abandoned as a non-event because only one lap was completed. No race winner was declared nor were points offered.^[4]

The announcement of cancellation was made on timing monitors and the broadcast by Dorna and the Sepang International Circuit.^[8] Video evidence showed spectators trashed the circuit after the cancellation was announced, not understanding the fatal crash.^[9]

The race was stopped after 17 laps due to an accident involving Axel Pons.^[10]