Former F1 driver and analyst Martin Brundle reprimands the FIA following Oliver Bearman’s crash during the Japanese GP. While the driver field has long warned about the dangers of current energy management and the associated speed differences, Bearman proved that this can lead to serious accidents. According to Brundle, driver safety has now become the ‘fourth priority’ of FIA officials.
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After the Japanese GP, the discussion about the safety of the regulations flared up again. The cause was Oliver Bearman’s heavy crash, who approached Franco Colapinto with a large speed difference, had to swerve onto the grass, and eventually hit the guardrail with an impact of 50G. The FIA subsequently confirmed that it will meet during the spring break in April to discuss possible adjustments to the regulations.
‘The fans come first’
In a broadcast of Sky Sports, Brundle rebuked the FIA and the fact that the drivers’ comments in recent weeks were apparently not taken seriously. “It is a big problem for the FIA,” said the Englishman. “Driver safety is of course sacred, but I think they are only the fourth priority these days. The fans come first, because they pay to attend a race. They run no risk at all, but are protected first.”
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“Then come the marshals and the track officials,” Brundle continued sternly. “They are not paid, but they do take risks by standing along the track. Then comes the pit stop team and only then the drivers. Of course, the cars are incredibly safe,” he admitted. “Everyone’s health and safety come first, so the FIA will now have to implement a change before Miami, also because the drivers are insisting on this. That is clear. I am fairly certain they have also recorded this in writing via the GPDA (F1 drivers’ union, ed.). If a car flies into the crowd now and nothing has been done – no due diligence has been exercised – then the FIA will have a hard time. That goes much further than just listening to the drivers and making some minor adjustments.”
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