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reImages of the flames after Romain Grosjean’s Formula 1 crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday go around the world and are terrifying. The French Haas driver survived a fire “only” with burns to the back of his hand in Lewis Hamilton’s upcoming victory. Contrary to initial assumptions, there were no broken bones. Grosjean spent the night in the hospital and will be allowed out on Tuesday. Formula 1 breathes a sigh of relief because the safety mechanisms quickly took effect. The cause of the accident on the first lap has not yet been clarified.
The first rescuers were Ian Roberts, medical rescue coordinator for Fia, the world automobile association, and Alan van der Merwe, the medicine truck driver, at the scene of the accident. “You could see he was very shaky,” Roberts said after Grosjean himself emerged from the burning wreckage. The Haas driver failed to brake after hitting the railing at a speed of about 220 kilometers per hour.
The monohull dug into the railing. As Roberts reported, Grosjean’s helmet visor melted as the flames blazed. The protection of the “Halo” cockpit, the fire retardant racing suit and the quick intervention of the rescue personnel ensured that a disaster did not occur in Sakhir. “I am so happy that Romain is doing well. That makes up for all the preparation and sitting for these short 30 seconds, ”van der Merwe said of the effort just after the start of the race.
Grosjean, his hands heavily bandaged, sent greetings from his hospital bed that night and thanked everyone who had texted him. “I was not in favor of the Halo a few years ago, but it is the best of Formula One,” he said. “Without him I couldn’t talk to you now. So thanks! Halo is the ring-shaped titanium mount that extends over the driver’s head in the cab.
Sebastian Vettel, like his colleagues, was also deeply relieved that Grosjean slipped away relatively lightly. “The most important thing is that he got out of the car,” said the Ferrari driver. It borders on a miracle. “It’s good that cars are safer than they used to be. The guardrail must not give way and the car must not catch fire this way. “
Formula 1 is now investigating the incident, Haas team boss Günther Steiner wants to get an idea of his driver’s condition in the hospital. He told Sky television station Sunday night that Grosjean was in his right mind after a joint phone call. The French feel good so far. More will be said Monday when the bandages are removed from the hands.
Grosjean will not participate in the next race in Bahrain next weekend. Brazilian Pietro Fittipaldi (24) will make his debut in the premier category of motorsport for the injured Frenchman. It is better for him to “suspend at least one race,” team boss Günther Steiner said after a visit to Grosjean in hospital. Fittipaldi has been a Haas test driver for the past two years. Grosjean’s contract with Haas expires at the end of the season and will not be extended, this has been fixed since mid-October. He has been driving for the American racing team since Haas joined Formula 1 in 2016, where Mick Schumacher could stay in 2021.
“We often forget how dangerous the sport is,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. After his 11th victory of the season, world champion Hamilton also spoke of the fact that the accident was a “powerful reminder” of how dangerous Formula 1 could be. The premier class of motorsport must continue in safety matters. “We must not stop where we are,” demanded Hamilton. “We have to try to keep doing better. That’s what makes this sport so great. “
Grosjean’s wife, French TV host Marion Jolles Grosjean, shared her great relief via Twitter: “Once we have said the urgent words, the useful words to protect our children, then we lack others for ourselves. Fortunately, protective shields save the I love real superheroes. ” The couple have been married since 2012 and have three children.
Formula 1, for its part, rejected criticism from drivers such as Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo about the repetition of the fire scenes of the Grosjean accident. A spokesman for the premier class of motorsport said on Monday to the Internet portal “motorsport.com”: “No repetitions of an accident will be shown until there is consent and confirmation from the race / Fia management that all persons (drivers, bailiffs, doctors, etc.) are safe. The repetitions only started later ”. Strict protocols were always followed.
Ferrari driver Vettel suspected that people would like to see scenes like this. “Otherwise the director or whoever is editing wouldn’t show it over and over again. People like accidents, sometimes they forget that we are behind the wheel, ”said Vettel.
After Sunday’s crash, Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo complained that he wanted to express his “disgust and disappointment” with Formula 1. “The way you showed the Grosjean incident over and over again, the replay, was completely disrespectful. and inconsiderate to his family, to all our families who were watching. “
