Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi has warned that safety must be utmost in everyone’s minds at this weekend’s second Austrian MotoGP round and more important than points and finishing positions.

The Monster Yamaha man escaped serious injury by blind luck and centimetres last weekend in the now-infamous Morbidelli/Zarco crash and wants all riders to have each other’s backs this weekend.

“Last weekend’s race was scary. In the end all riders are okay, and that’s the main thing, but there is a lesson in this for all of us, especially the riders,” said Rossi.

“We all have a lot of fun on track trying to finish in front, we all enjoy the battles, but in the end your own safety as well as that of the other riders is more important than any amount of gained positions.

“With this in mind, I think we will all be able to enjoy this upcoming GP even more. I did a good Race 2 last Sunday, and fifth was okay, but I think that we can do better, so let’s see what we can do this weekend.”