
Le Mans must avoid knee-jerk changes
Le Mans must look hard at its safety arrangements after the tragic death of Allan Simonsen, but any changes must be made wisely says Gary Watkins
Allan Simonsen's sad death will undoubtedly reopen the safety debate at Le Mans. In fact, it already has: I know drivers who are talking about petitions and such like in the wake of last weekend's 24 Hours.
Yet surely now is not the time for some knee-jerk reaction. A measured approach is required at the same time as a renewed acknowledgement that the Circuit de la Sarthe is always going to be a more dangerous place than your average race track.

Gary Watkins has, for reasons best known to himself, devoted all his working life to covering sportscar racing. This season is his 33rd as a motorsport journalist, during which time he has reported on major long-distance events on four continents and approaching 80 24-hour races. He reckons a degree in political philosophy makes him well qualified for covering the sometimes Machiavellian world of international sportscars.
Gary, who also writes for Motor Sport, Autocourse, RACER and others, lives in Surbiton close to the former workshops of the Cooper Formula 1 team but spends more time on the road than at home for most of the year.
Renault Formula 1 V6 could be used as Alpine LMP1 engine
Revived constructor Tiga could make sportscars return in LMP2
More from Gary Watkins

Aston Martin GT commitment unchanged by Valkyrie LMH announcement
Aston Martin GT commitment unchanged by Valkyrie LMH announcement Aston Martin GT commitment unchanged by Valkyrie LMH announcement

Aston Martin to return to Le Mans 24 Hours in 2025 with Valkyrie LMH
Aston Martin to return to Le Mans 24 Hours in 2025 with Valkyrie LMH Aston Martin to return to Le Mans 24 Hours in 2025 with Valkyrie LMH

Inside the adaptations needed to realise NASCAR's Le Mans return
Inside the adaptations needed to realise NASCAR's Le Mans return Inside the adaptations needed to realise NASCAR's Le Mans return

Di Resta adds United Autosports IMSA drive to 2024 programme
Di Resta adds United Autosports IMSA drive to 2024 programme Di Resta adds United Autosports IMSA drive to 2024 programme

Vettel in talks with Jota Porsche team about 2024 WEC drive
Vettel in talks with Jota Porsche team about 2024 WEC drive Vettel in talks with Jota Porsche team about 2024 WEC drive

Jota closing on deal to run second Porsche Hypercar in WEC 2024
Jota closing on deal to run second Porsche Hypercar in WEC 2024 Jota closing on deal to run second Porsche Hypercar in WEC 2024

WEC grid could expand to 40 cars for 2024 season
WEC grid could expand to 40 cars for 2024 season WEC grid could expand to 40 cars for 2024 season

How Porsche ensured Toyota's WEC homecoming was anything but straightforward
How Porsche ensured Toyota's WEC homecoming was anything but straightforward How Porsche ensured Toyota's WEC homecoming was anything but straightforward
Latest news

2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule revealed
2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule revealed 2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule revealed

Grosjean files for arbitration against Andretti IndyCar team
Grosjean files for arbitration against Andretti IndyCar team Grosjean files for arbitration against Andretti IndyCar team

How the gender performance gap is hindering womens’ progress in motorsport
How the gender performance gap is hindering womens’ progress in motorsport How the gender performance gap is hindering womens’ progress in motorsport

Why Aston Martin is right to return to Le Mans
Why Aston Martin is right to return to Le Mans Why Aston Martin is right to return to Le Mans

How Porsche ensured Toyota's WEC homecoming was anything but straightforward
How Porsche ensured Toyota's WEC homecoming was anything but straightforward How Porsche ensured Toyota's WEC homecoming was anything but straightforward

The other Dutch racing ace enjoying a standout 2023
The other Dutch racing ace enjoying a standout 2023 The other Dutch racing ace enjoying a standout 2023

The former Hollywood limo manufacturer aiming to star in the WEC
The former Hollywood limo manufacturer aiming to star in the WEC The former Hollywood limo manufacturer aiming to star in the WEC

Alpine's new attempt to scale Le Mans heights
Alpine's new attempt to scale Le Mans heights Alpine's new attempt to scale Le Mans heights

How Ferrari scored a historic victory at Le Mans
How Ferrari scored a historic victory at Le Mans How Ferrari scored a historic victory at Le Mans

Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans?
Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans? Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans?

How Ferrari’s threat is growing against Toyota approaching Le Mans
How Ferrari’s threat is growing against Toyota approaching Le Mans How Ferrari’s threat is growing against Toyota approaching Le Mans

Why Cadillac can make amends for its previous Le Mans failures
Why Cadillac can make amends for its previous Le Mans failures Why Cadillac can make amends for its previous Le Mans failures
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.