More Formula 1 drivers have criticised the decision to send recovery vehicles onto the track during the rain-hit Japanese Grand Prix.
Several drivers reacted with anger on their radios after seeing a crane and another vehicle on track after the Safety Car was deployed. Some passed the vehicles during the Safety Car period, other once the race was red-flagged due to the deteriorating conditions.
Alexander Albon, who retired with a technical problem on the first lap, was one of several who pointed out Jules Bianchi suffered fatal injuries after spinning and hitting a crane at the circuit eight years earlier.
“We know what happens,” he told Sky. “We don’t want to talk about it, a few years ago.”
He expects drivers will raise the matter with the FIA after the race.
“We’re in a position where it is really dangerous,” he said. “I think people don’t realise that. Of course, the FIA, I am sure there will be such discussions going into the next race about why a recovery crane was on the circuit.”
The other driver who retired on the first lap was Carlos Sainz Jnr, who crashed. He said drivers can lose control of their cars much more easily in wet conditions, increasing the risk of spinning off and hitting something.
“I don’t know if people understand, but even behind Safety Car we are going at 100, 150 kph,” he said. “And still at those speeds, we see nothing. Even behind the Safety Car.
“So if one driver decides to get out of the racing line or has a small aquaplaning or has to change a switch on the steering wheel and gets a bit out of line and hits a tractor it’s over.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
He questioned why the decision had been taken to send recovery vehicles onto the circuit when the race was about to be stopped.
“I still don’t know why we keep, in these conditions, risking having a tractor on track because it’s just worthless. [They] were going to red flag it anyway so why risk it?
Other drivers who continued in the race voiced their concerns over the use of the crane on social media.
“[What the fuck]. How’s this happened?” said Lando Norris. “We lost a life in this situation years ago.
“We risk our lives, especially in conditions like this. We wanna race. But this… Unacceptable.”
Sergio Perez, who complained about the recovery vehicles on his radio immediately after passing them, reiterated his concerns on social media.
“How can we make it clear that we never want to see a crane on…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at RaceFans…