The Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix got off to a chaotic start. Heavy continuous rain makes visibility extremely poor, and several incidents stop the race as early as lap three. When the flag is red, there is the most shocking incident: A recovery crane horrifies Alpha Tauri pilot Pierre Gasly.
Formula 1 experiences excitement at the Suzuka Grand Prix. The race in Japan started even though the track was wet and it continued to rain heavily. Already in the first lap there were several incidents – Pierre Gasly suffered particularly badly. The Alpha Tauri pilot, who will drive for Alpine next season, complained heavily after just three laps of the race. However, he had every reason to be: A recovery vehicle suddenly appeared next to him.
The race was slowed down after just one lap by the yellow flag and safety car before it had to be stopped on lap three – red flag, the cars were directed back into the pit lane. But before they got there, Gasly had his moment of shock. After suddenly impaling a flying advertising board on the front wing in the first lap, he had to have the part of his car replaced in the pits. He then tried to reconnect to the field. Suddenly there was a tractor that the Frenchman hadn’t seen because of the high spray.
The rescue vehicle was supposed to transport Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari away, the Spaniard was aquaplaned on the first lap and turned himself into the gang. The red flag route lights were already on, meaning the pilots need to drive much more slowly and carefully. But Gasly was shocked, obviously not having the vehicle on the screen: “Why the hell is there a tractor on the track?” He yelled into the pit radio.
After getting out in the pit lane, he continued to rage at his team and could hardly be calmed down. Race director Eduardo Freitas also got his anger. But he dismissed the anger that Gasly had been traveling “at high speed”. The other drivers, on the other hand, were more understanding. The retired Sainz said on Sky: “I don’t know if people understand that. Even behind the safety car we drive 150 miles per hour (about 241 kilometers per hour). As soon as you deviate from the ideal line or have aquaplaning, it is it’s over. I don’t know why we take such risks in such conditions. A tractor on the track, it’s incredible.” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said: “There must be an investigation, the vehicle should not have been there.” Fortunately, all drivers were unharmed.
The incident is all the more emotional when you know the background. Jules Bianchi had an accident while racing at the same place in 2014. The Marussia driver had collided with a recovery vehicle under the yellow flag. Gasly’s friend and compatriot died nine months later as a result of the traumatic brain injury he suffered. “I drove right past it. That’s unacceptable. Remember what happened. I can’t believe it,” Gasly said on the pit radio.
Since then, the unwritten rule has actually applied that no car other than the safety and medical car should drive onto the track as long as there are still Formula 1 racing cars on it. The race stewards announced that they would investigate the incident after the Grand Prix. Gasly is also threatened with a penalty because he drove 250 kilometers per hour, which was significantly too fast. However, Frédéric Vasseur, the Alfa Romeo team boss, defended Gasly: ??It was wrong to blame the driver, no matter how fast he was driving. The recovery vehicle simply would not have been allowed onto the track.
The race has been interrupted, alongside Sainz, Alex Albon has already retired. At the start, Sebastian Vettel collided with the Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who will take over his Aston Martin cockpit next year. Vettel, who had started from ninth place, suffered damage to his car and fell back a long way, but he was able to continue.
There should be a rolling start behind the safety car, but it is still unclear whether it can continue at all. Many participants spoke of indisputable conditions. If the race is not continued, no World Championship points will be awarded. Max Verstappen’s early title win would then also be postponed.
