Danger is not 'part of the game'
The romance associated with the challenges heroes of bygone eras faced is one thing, writes EDD STRAW, but it should not cloud judgment of motorsport's ongoing and necessary work to improve safety
One of the most striking aspects of the aftermath of any motorsport tragedy, including that of Jules Bianchi, is the number of Monday morning quarterbacks who instantly have all the safety answers.
All the 'obvious' things that should have been done, the clear safety 'failings' and what they would have done differently.
As has been the pattern for several decades now, it's right and proper that the lessons are learned and changes implemented. By definition, such accidents are 'freak' and all efforts should be made to ensure that - within reason - action is taken to prevent a recurrence.
And yet, sometimes when safety changes are implemented in anticipation, rather than in reaction, to an accident we hear complaints about drivers wrapped in cotton wool. 'Health and safety gone mad' is the usual gripe.
But the need to ensure drivers are not endangered and ensuring that there is a punishment for mistakes in terms of performance are not, as some would argue, mutually exclusive.
This should be the objective that not just F1, but motorsport as a whole, works towards to ensure its ongoing appeal.
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