Drivers Move to Improve Safety in Testing
Formula One drivers are to hold talks at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix to move forward their campaign to improve safety during tests in the wake of Alexander Wurz's massive accident at Paul Ricard in France last week, according to an exclusive report in this week's Autosport
Wurz was lucky to escape injury in the 180mph crash which was caused when a right rear tyre exploded as the result of accidentally being fitted to the wheel hub the wrong way around.
That crash, on the back of several other major accidents during tests this year, has further heightened concerns among drivers that safety standards at tests do not match those now mandatory at Formula One races - and the drivers now want action to be taken.
According to Autosport, F1 drivers' body the Grand Prix Drivers' Association have already drawn up a list of 'black spot' corners that they consider to be dangerous at Formula One test venues and talks about how to move their campaign forward are due to be held in the Monaco paddock this weekend.
Red Bull Racing driver David Coulthard, who is a director of the GPDA and is the only driver to have so far gone public about the testing concerns, has said that he is hopeful progress can be made in conjunction with FIA president Max Mosley.
"It's something we've been talking about for some time now, and we have raised it with Max," he told Autosport. "He's happy to help out, but he needs the agreement of all the teams."
Getting the teams to agree to a course of action is being viewed as key to progress being made.
An FIA spokesman said: "Circuits have to meet our requirement but over and above that it's a gentlemen's agreement between the teams.
"We don't get involved because the teams don't want us to. It's perfectly reasonable for the drivers to send us a letter on this matter, but it's the team that have to decide whether or not they want us to get involved."
Alexander Wurz, who speaks openly about his crash in this week's Autosport magazine, has admitted that safety at tests is getting to be a concern and improvements can be made.
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