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Do F1 Pit Lanes Need To Be Safer?

Ever since
the idea of safety coming into formula one racing was adopted, many changes
were done to make sure that even with a dangerous sport as this is, regulations
were put out to ensure that some safety rules would make drivers safer.

Cars had
been dangerous and have changed from the 1960’s to the 1970’s when it was
almost certain that at least two drivers were lost due to fatal accident during
a Grand Prix year. After the death of Aryton Senna in 1994, it took another
four years before formula one actually had newer items such as more crash
resistant crumples zones in the car, a more safer gas tank that is now stored
more into a Kevlar bladder behind the driver instead of under him; and a more
safer helmet made from the same material.

However,
since the focus is now on the drivers and their cars, a different issue was
brought up after this past week’s German Grand Prix when a FOM cameraman was
stuck by a loose tire that came off of Red Bull’s Mark Webber during a botched
pit stop. Paul Allen was hit hard as the tire passed several pit crews and
struck Allen as he was filming something away from the scene. Allen suffered a
broken collar bone and a few cracked ribs.

It now
focuses the idea to the pit lane: If such teams as Red Bull can change tires on
one of their drivers in a matter of under three seconds, why cannot there be
safer rules to make certain that everything can go smoothly?

For this
recent incident, Red Bull was fined a mere $60, 000 US Dollars, and it has come
down to a couple of team principals that something should be changed.

Although
during the 24 Hours of LeMans sports car race, all participants who are active
in the pit lane, must wear a helmet and a race suit. Something that one team
manager from Mercedes should happen in F1.

“Luckily our guys saw the wheel coming but the
cameraman didn’t,” stated Ross Brawn. “They were able to swerve out
the way to avoid it but it was pretty nasty. On the basis of what we have seen
today we should be thinking that all people in the pit lane are properly
dressed and equipped. Everyone in the pit lane should have a helmet on. It is
certainly worth reviewing the whole thing.”

Red Bull’s Christian Horner has the same thought.

“It’s a timely reminder that working in the pit lane,
whether you’re a mechanic or cameraman, is dangerous, “he said.

“These cars are going pretty fast and there’s a lot of energy around them,
so it’s a reminder that we need to look at all these things. The mechanics need
to wear protective gear and maybe it’s something that camera men and women working
close to the action need to do as well.”

Already rumors are going around that the cameramen that
shoot the event for television should be moved back behind the pits to do their
work without getting into danger, and this idea certainly will be looked after.

However, whatever the decision will be, it has to make sure that everyone who is involved working in the pit lane will be
safe.

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