After the last few years in Formula 1, safety has been inundated with upgrades to ensure the paddock is given a better chance during a shunt.
Japan’s Grand Prix in early October 2022 saw what could be described as a disheartening failure of protocol during wet conditions for both spectators and drivers.
After Jules Bianchi’s disastrous and fatal crash in 2014, changes were made promptly to ensure an outcome similar would never be faced again in the history of the sport.
Fast forward eight years and a chilling onboard view shows poor visibility, and at the last minute, a tractor on track to retrieve Carlos Sainz’s (28) abandoned #55 Scuderia Ferrari.
Scuderia AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly (26) was bewildered, catching back up to the safety car at high speed, before the red flags were deployed.
Drivers were outraged with the unacceptable mishap from the FIA, demanding it be understood how disrespectful it was to Bianchi and his family, and the other drivers who were on track at the time.
Although motorsport is notorious for being dangerous, it was clear enough was enough.
In a usual setting, the retrieval crew do not head out until all cars are back in pit lane and the session is red flagged.
This whole ordeal was un-admirable and bizarre, however the blame being pinged onto the driver at risk by both commentators and the FIA.
Outrage continued to flare, understandably so, causing tension in the paddock across all teams. Not only for the damages that could have occurred, but the safety of all those involved; marshals, drivers, and spectators during poor visibility.
Whilst there are many opinions out there, it’s important to identify the failure of protocol and ensure it never occurs again out of safety and consideration for all involved.
Frenchmen Gasly took to the media multiple times over the weekend, through socials and interviews, expressing the urgency of the mishap – many drivers backing him with similar media posts and interviews.
Thankfully, the weekends since Japan’s Grand Prix have gone much smoother with retrievals of retired cars.
Later on, it was discovered that Fernando Alonso’s (41) onboard also depicted a dangerous story that could have ended in a catastrophe.
The race later red flagged for over an hour due to conditions being unsafe raised even more questions.
Since then, both fans and the paddock have had time to digest the danger surrounded by the sport and level of competition; mistakes being understood as lethal going forward.
However the question of why it happened still remains unanswered, leaving an uneasy haze over the circuit moving forward. If it’s happened again, what could go wrong in the future?
Until next time,
Tayla Talks
Tayla Talks 
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