Safety Reflections at Spa© Max J. Davies
Page 3
Sep 15, 2001
Following the enormous excursions, opinions that changes were needed to Spa abounded. At the time, Eventual race winner David Coulthard had this to say: "We wouldn't want to not come here. It's my favourite circuit but Eau Rouge and Blanchimont ( the flat-out left-hander at the end of the lap) have to be altered because the run off is not big enough."
In due course, these changes were implemented to great effect and though drivers are, and forever will be, respectful towards the circuit, Burti's crash a fortnight ago proved that the unanimous cries for improved safety in '99, were taken on board by the powers-that-be. Naturally, the FIA will forever seek ways to slow these powerful machines, yet amid more rumours of more stringent re-designs to the historic circuit, following recent events, drivers are being forced to air their views once more. Always a key figure in such issues, Coulthard still believes it is not the track itself that should be brought into question, more the run-off area's that need addressing and worried about possible knee-jerk reactions from some quarters following Burti's accident, the Scot had this to say: "We can't have a series of low-speed corners, because that's not what F1 is about. Corners like Eau Rouge are difficult, they are dangerous, but that is Spa. What we should try to do is make the run-off areas as safe as possible, to minimise the chances of a driver getting hurt because he hits the barrier. I think that's what we should tackle, rather than changing the tracks. You never like to see what happened to Luciano, but it's a dangerous business, and after all, danger is a part of our sport..."
MJD2001 ©
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