Massive first lap crash in Bahrain this morning.

[downtowndeco]

First, the driver (Romain Grosjean) is going to be OK. Some burns and possible rib injuries. That being said, this was one of the worst I've ever seen. This was right up there with Geoffrey Bodine's truck crash at Daytona or Michael Waltrip at Bristol. Car ripped in half, entire tank of fuel explodes and the driver's cockpit wedged into a crack the armco in flames. Lucky, he was still conscious and was able to claw himself out of the wreckage.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/29/motor...ntl/index.html

[Frank9129]

Actual 1:1 racing is a dangerous sport. Only the brave of heart race.
That's why I only race 1:32 now.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

Anyone want to get into a huge series of giant posts about the evil FIA rules? I'm too tired. But I will say, this was not unavoidable.

[slothead]

I was watching the start of the race and when the accident happened and they wouldn't show the scene with all of the flames I was assuming the worst. Amazing the the driver was able to get out of the car with the front half wedges between layers of the barrier. I know a track worker was criticized for running across the track but I'm sure he imagined the driver was stuck in the fiery wreckage, so I understand.

Without the halo on the car this probably would have been a fatal accident. I wonder if a halo might have saved Dan Weldon's life. His death was attributed to a non-survivable blunt force trauma to his head when his Indycar got airborne and into the catch fence during the race at Las Vegas Speedway in 2011.

[docdoom]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ7_En2xEm4

[F1Fan]

I have followed F1 racing for a very long time, and fortunately racing has become much safer during this time, but it remains a very dangerous sport. Today was a very good reminder of these dangerous. The outcome today was nut just luck, but due to years of improvements in car and track safety. Many people complained when the HALO was introduced, but Romain Grosjean can thank that safety device for being alive tonight. Not to mention Alan van der Merwe (a South African race driver originally from Johannesburg) and Dr. Ian Roberts (they drive/support the medical car that stopped within seconds at the scene) and the Bahrain marshals.

I am however still concerned about the failures in the ARMCO barrier, the fuel cell leaking and what appeared to be a limited number of fire extinguishers at the scene, but rest assured the FIA will investigate this accident thoroughly and make additional safety improvements.

In 1973 Francois Cevert lost his life in a similar accident at Watkins Glen and in 1971 John Love, a Rhodesian race car driver, was VERY lucky to escape this accident at Kyalami without serious injury.

Today was a very good day for F1 racing, but an even better day for Romain's 3 young boys and wife.

Chris

[Aloha]

I am so happy to see how the continuing safety efforts saved this driver's life. i am always surprised when i hear that they feel that automobile racing isn't a very strenuous sport...here is an athlete that put everything on the line. I am so pleased he could walk away
Aloha
Dale

[Mickey thumbs]

This race coverage included showing the readings from an onboard G meter which let us all see the braking and cornering forces these guys endure during a race. Absolutely amazing and further proof of what kind of athlete they are.