Bmw Boss: Safety Must Be Priority

[Autumnpuma 0]

itv-f1.com:

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BMW Sauber boss Mario Theissen has warned that safety must not be compromised in Formula 1's current push to add street circuits to the calendar.

New street races in Valencia and Singapore will join the schedule next season, while the Abu Dhabi venue that will host a grand prix in 2009 also features a street section.

"Racing on street circuits in city centres is spectacular and improves the show," said Theissen.

"That's something we support - as long as the stringent safety standards are met."

Theissen accepted that space limitations on street circuits would always restrict the amount of run-off available, but he insisted that all possible safety measures should still be taken.

"It has to be admitted that realising these safety standards in street races is difficult," he said.

"Nonetheless, the safety of all those involved must be the top priority when it comes to the evaluation of street circuits."

Monaco has been the only fully-fledged street track on the F1 calendar since Phoenix was dropped in 1991, although the parkland venues in Melbourne and Montreal are sometimes considered to be street circuits.

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Mario, when you sacrifice racing on the altar of safety, you ultimately kill the spectacle and in the long run, the 'show'. Danger is thrilling to watch. Safety is boring to watch. Sad fact of life maybe, but true nonetheless.

[ykickamoocow 0]

Mario, when you sacrifice racing on the altar of safety, you ultimately kill the spectacle and in the long run, the 'show'. Danger is thrilling to watch. Safety is boring to watch. Sad fact of life maybe, but true nonetheless.

I have to say i disagree to a certain extent. I want exciting races as much as anyone but i dont want to see any driver get injured or killed as it is not a fun feeling watching a accident live on television which ends up costing a drivers (or a marshalls) life.

[Eric 0]

Safety should be considered because it would really be a blow to the sport to have a death or serious injury of a driver, crew member, marshal, fan, or anyone else due to a racing-related incident. However, it should not be the main priority. I don't want to sound sick and twisted, or maybe even selfish, but the auto race should be the biggest factor. They still raced in the 50s and 60s with no safety whatsoever. I think it's about finding the right balance. When you design tracks with safety in mind, they always come out like crap. If you design them with racing in mind, they come out good.

I'm no genuis, and I cannot tell you what the right balance is, but I just know that safety should not be more important than the auto race.

-Eric

[Kati 0]

Mario is right. Even though F1 just can't be completely safe, it gotta guarantee no one is dying there... Believe me, it's not fun to watch it on tv...

[cavallino 2]

You're reading too much into it Mike, I read that as saying that safety should be comparable to other circuits - where you may say we've gone too far, but that wouldn't make this news.

[Autumnpuma 0]

You're reading too much into it Mike, I read that as saying that safety should be comparable to other circuits - where you may say we've gone too far, but that wouldn't make this news.

Alright, I'll accept that.