Crash at 2014 Japanese GP

[935k3]

Video has now immerg3ed showing the Bianchi crash at Suzuka. He is now listed as stable but serious condition. I am surprised he survived at all.

http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/view/503341/Footage_emerges_of_Jules_Bianchis_Japanese_GP_crash/

Edited October 7, 2014 by 935k3

[Longbox55]

That's messed up. There really should have at least been a caution flag shown at that part of the track, if not a full course red flag, until that tractor was clear of the racing surface with the car it was removing.

[Draggon]

I cant imagine the force it took to lift that front loader off the ground.

[kitbash1]

That was a very brutal crash, I'm surprised that he's still alive after that hit.

[Joe Handley]

Wow, that literally shook me!

[Nacho Z]

That's messed up. There really should have at least been a caution flag shown at that part of the track, if not a full course red flag, until that tractor was clear of the racing surface with the car it was removing.

I agree 100%. Thought that myself.

[THarrison351]

That's messed up. There really should have at least been a caution flag shown at that part of the track, if not a full course red flag, until that tractor was clear of the racing surface with the car it was removing.

Well, for those who have not followed Formula 1 over the years, I'll try to explain. Unlike NASCAR, Formula 1 is all about racing and not running laps under caution. They even use a high performance safety car with a professional driver. if a car spins, runs off, or there is something threatening on the track, corner workers display appropriate flags. Cars usually don't slow much for single yellow flags, only the double yellows, also they are not allowed to pass. If a yellow flag with red stripes is displayed, it means something is on the track to reduce traction, and the cars will slow down as needed. Formula 1 cars are unhappy if driven slow or if they come to a stop. Red flags happen, but only under rare and extreme circumstances. I think there has only been sixty something since 1950 and it's usually for weather or when a crash blocks the racing surface. If a car crashes or stops and is not in the racing line or is in a nearby runoff, The officials make decisions if the car can be safely retrieved. If it is safe for the track workers, they usually use some type of crane. Sometimes it's an actual crane and sometimes they use a front loader with an improvised sling. This is on the host track to provide the workers and equipment. If it is determined by the officials that the car cannot be retrieved safely, a safety car is deployed.

From videos I have observed, there were double yellow flags displayed for the area where Sutil's car had crashed, As someone explained at the other website, the corner worker beyond the crashed car went from yellow to green when Sutil's car was being pulled back. This mean't cars could resume racing after the corner. The area before was still in double yellow. Bianchi's car came into that area at a high velocity. I know the rain was increasing at the time and some cars were in the process of going from intermediate tires to full wet tires. The officials were looking at deploying the safety car due to the large amounts of standing water. This has always been a problem at Suzuka. I'm thinking Bianchi had not changed tires and came into that corner too fast for the tires he had on and hydroplaned off the course. It's unfortunate that the loader was in the wrong place at the time, but it looks like it might have been a bad accident anyway. Also the loader was not on the racing surface, it was near the catch fence.

I hope he recovers and the FIA will rethink when is the best time to race at Suzuka. It rains too often in the fall and the track has poor drainage.

Edited October 7, 2014 by THarrison351

[afx]

Bianchi suffered 'diffuse axonal injury': http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/9507770/Bianchi-Suffered-A-Diffuse-Axonal-Injury-

[DonW]

Well said, Tim. While there are still real people involved, there will always be unforeseen accidents despite everyone's best efforts to avoid or minimise the effect of them. That's why it always says 'MOTOR RACING IS DANGEROUS' on the tickets. Lets hope Bianchi continues to mend.

Edited October 8, 2014 by DonW

[Lunajammer]

Bianchi suffered 'diffuse axonal injury':

Link to Wikipedia entry that describes what this means. Really bad news for Bianchi & his family.

[sjordan2]

Unlike other racing series, there has not been a death in Forumla 1 racing since Senna in 1994. This is amazing, considering that F1 drivers race in the rain, over hills, through city streets, on country roads, through incredible switchbacks and esses. The typhoon that caused the early ending of the race is rare in F1. This may be the worst accident in years.