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28th
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Just two weeks after a track worker was tragically killed at the end of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, the world of motorsport was shocked by the death of a driver at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Very early into the race, Allan Simonsen, one of the three drivers of the No. 95 Aston Martin, lost control of his car at the Tertre-Rouge corner.
The Aston Martin crashed hard into the guardrail at a high speed. The 34-year-old Dane did not survive his injuries, proving that the impact must have been incredibly violent.
This tragic accident reminds us -- yet again -- that motorsport is still a very dangerous activity. The problem is that some people tend to believe that modern race cars are simply safe and nothing can happen.
During the 2011 running of the Le Mans classic race, Audi came extremely close to losing two of its drivers.
Allan McNish's No. 3 Audi was completely destroyed when it slammed into the guardrail. A few hours later, the No. 1 Audi, driven by Mike Rockenfeller, also crashed extremely hard at high speed during the night.
McNish and Rockenfeller could have been very seriously injured -- if not killed -- in theses crashes, but luckily (and miraculously) they escaped without harm.
My concern here is to hear some people say: “See? Race cars are now very secure. Motor racing has become extremely safe”... And life goes on...
For me that's the wrong statement. I'd say we need to increase safety even more. Yes, two drivers escaped serious injury at Le Mans two years ago, but it was writing on the wall that one day, one driver would not be as lucky as they were.
McNish and Rockenfeller's crashes should have been taken as serious wake-up calls.
I see a similar attitude on our roads. Despite new road cars being fitted with all the latest technology and safety devices, the ultimate link between the vehicle and the road remains the driver. No safety feature will ever be absolutely perfect.
Very early into the race, Allan Simonsen, one of the three drivers of the No. 95 Aston Martin, lost control of his car at the Tertre-Rouge corner.
The Aston Martin crashed hard into the guardrail at a high speed. The 34-year-old Dane did not survive his injuries, proving that the impact must have been incredibly violent.
This tragic accident reminds us -- yet again -- that motorsport is still a very dangerous activity. The problem is that some people tend to believe that modern race cars are simply safe and nothing can happen.
During the 2011 running of the Le Mans classic race, Audi came extremely close to losing two of its drivers.
Allan McNish's No. 3 Audi was completely destroyed when it slammed into the guardrail. A few hours later, the No. 1 Audi, driven by Mike Rockenfeller, also crashed extremely hard at high speed during the night.
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| Photo: WRI2 |
McNish and Rockenfeller could have been very seriously injured -- if not killed -- in theses crashes, but luckily (and miraculously) they escaped without harm.
My concern here is to hear some people say: “See? Race cars are now very secure. Motor racing has become extremely safe”... And life goes on...
For me that's the wrong statement. I'd say we need to increase safety even more. Yes, two drivers escaped serious injury at Le Mans two years ago, but it was writing on the wall that one day, one driver would not be as lucky as they were.
McNish and Rockenfeller's crashes should have been taken as serious wake-up calls.
I see a similar attitude on our roads. Despite new road cars being fitted with all the latest technology and safety devices, the ultimate link between the vehicle and the road remains the driver. No safety feature will ever be absolutely perfect.