Formula 1 Resumes Under A Black Cloud

With just four races of the 2014 Formula 1 season to go we are accelerating towards a climax that will see either Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg, currently separated by only 10 points, crowned world Champion. Yet as Johnny Herbert joins the teams, drivers and media descending on the brand new, state-of-the-art facilities at the Sochi Autodrom in Russia, a black cloud hangs over F1. Last weekend Marussia driver, Jules Bianchi, aquaplaned into a tractor at the Japanese Grand Prix, sustaining serious head injuries that leave him in a critical condition in intensive care in Mie General Hospital in Yokkaichi.

Thankfully such serious injuries are a rarity in F1 these days and not since Felipe Massa was struck on the head in 2009 by a dislodged component of his fellow Brazilian Reubens Barrichello’s car have we seen an incident on this scale. Drivers, team officials, authorities and pundits alike agree that lessons must be learnt from Bianchi’s accident and it is hoped that the resulting safety improvements match those ushered in by the untimely death of former World Champion, Ayrton Senna, at Imola in 1994.

The mood is so reflective it is perhaps for the best that this weekend’s Russian Grand Prix has come so quickly but questions must be asked about the factors contributing to the Suzuka incident. Wet conditions dogged both qualifying and the race itself, as a typhoon approached the Japanese mainland, and there is a clear issue as to why no safety car was deployed after Adrian Sutil left the track on the previous lap – Bianchi’s car collided with a tractor recovering the Sauber driver’s car.

Yellow flags had been shown after Sutil’s crash but some suggest that drivers should slow significantly more under such circumstances. Whatever the contributory factors, however, there remains little doubt that the Frenchman Bianchi was extremely unlucky. By its very nature, motorsport is inherently dangerous and challenge it creates for drivers must not lose its edge.

This weekend in Southern Russia we are sure to see developments in the championship race between the two Mercedes-Benz drivers and the field are unanimous in their wish to honour Bianchi with a race featuring all the cut and thrust we have come to expect from Formula 1. Driver safety is a massive concern but we must remember the huge strides made in recent decades and put our trust in further collaboration between the authorities, teams and drivers. That way, we will allow the world’s premier motorsport to bounce back.

Johnny Herbert is available for corporate entertainment and after dinner speaking globally. For more information please email ckrarup@championsukplc.com or call Charles Krarup of Champions Celebrity on 07896660734.