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MANAMA – Romain Grosjean credited the halo protection bar with saving his life in a fiery crash that split his car in two on the opening lap of the Bahrain Formula One (F1) Grand Prix on Sunday.
Frenchman Haas smashed through barriers after speeding off the track, the force of the impact splitting the car in half and setting it on fire.
Grosjean, who climbed and limped away from the accident, miraculously escaped with only burns to his hands and was treated overnight at a nearby hospital.
“Hello everyone, I just wanted to say that I’m fine, well, something good,” said the 34-year-old, with his hand wrapped in bandages but with a smiling face, from his hospital bed in a video posted on his social networks .
“I was not in favor of the halo a few years ago, but I think it’s the best thing we brought to Formula One and without it, I couldn’t talk to you today.
Formula One introduced the halo, a three-point titanium structure atop the front of the cockpit designed to protect drivers’ heads from flying debris, in 2018 and initially generated controversy.
Grosjean, who has no contract and will likely leave Formula One at the end of the year, was one of those opposed at the time, calling the day his introduction was announced a “sad day” for the sport.
On Sunday, others in the sport echoed his gratitude for his existence.
“There is no doubt that the halo was the factor that saved the day and saved Romain,” said Formula One motorsports general manager Ross Brawn.
“There was a lot of controversy at the time about its introduction and I don’t think anyone can now doubt the validity of that. Today was a lifesaver.
“We certainly have to do a very deep analysis of all the events that occurred because there were a number of things that should not have happened,” Brawn told Sky Sports television.
“The fire was worrisome, the breach of the barrier was worrisome.
“I think the positive is the safety of the car and that’s what helped us get through today.”
THE MOST DANGEROUS PAST IN F1
Brawn said the barrier splitting was a much more dangerous problem from Formula One’s past “and it usually resulted in death.”
Brawn said the sport hadn’t seen such a fire in many years, though the fuel cells were now built to be “incredibly strong” and he suspected it was more likely due to a broken connection.
“It looked like a big fire, but those cars carry 100 kilos of fuel at that stage. I think if they had gained 100 kilos we would have had a massive fire. For me that was a fire of a few kilos of fuel ”.
Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion, said he was “stunned” by what he had seen and that it was a miracle that Grosjean, the father of three, was alive.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, the winner of the Mercedes race, was also thankful that the halo had worked.
“I’m thankful the barrier didn’t cut off his head or something. It could have been much worse, ”said the Briton.
Hamilton also credited the sheriffs and the medical team, the first on the scene.
“It is an incredible job that the FIA has done. The quarterbacks are the forgotten heroes every weekend we get a chance to go out. Those guys are there to protect us and they really are amazing at what they do, ”he said. – Reuters
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