MADRID, 21 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) agreed this Friday measures and changes in the race procedure after what happened at the last Japanese Grand Prix, where the departure of a crane came close to causing a tragedy, among them, the change in the direction of the race with the departure of Eduardo Freitas.
Last week’s race at Suzuka left chaos in several ways before the Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) was proclaimed champion. The rain was largely the cause, but the FIA also detected errors in the procedure that could be expensive.
“The investigation recognized that having recovery cranes on the track in these climatic conditions is a delicate matter in view of the tragic incidents of the past,” the FIA said in a statement, without being able to ignore the death of Jules Bianchi in a very similar situation. and in Japan in 2014.
“The review committee determined that, as weather conditions were changing, it would have been prudent to delay the deployment of recovery vehicles on the track,” added the FIA, announcing measures such as dismissing Eduardo Freitas, race director at Suzuka.
The tow truck, which came in to remove Carlos Sainz’s (Ferrari) car in a dangerous area due to lack of visibility, scared Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) to death and caused a general complaint from the entire grid and the reaction of the FIA.
The United States Grand Prix and the three races remaining after the end of the season will have Niels Wittich as director. From now on, the teams will receive a message about the presence of a tow truck or recovery vehicle on the track, so that they can communicate it to the drivers.
In addition, a screen will be developed on the situation of all the vehicles on the track and a speed control in the accident zones. In turn, the FIA will review the sanctions against drivers who do not respect the rules in the yellow flag and in a safety car situation.