Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo will have to defend his MotoGP title with a broken middle finger before undergoing surgery once the season is complete.

The Frenchman is reportedly set for surgery following the final round of the 2022 World Championship next weekend, having suffered a fracture to the middle finger of his left hand during an FP4 crash on Saturday at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

With a win, and a non-score from title rival Pecco Bagnaia, the only option for Quartararo to retain his premier class crown, there is not enough time to complete and recover from the surgery before the final race on November 6th. The 23-year-old will therefore dig deep once more having already secured a podium position from 12th on the grid while carrying the injury last weekend.