FIA race director Michael Masi has defended the safety of Spa-Francorchamps after another nasty accident at Eau Rouge/Raidillon.
Williams reserve driver Jack Aitken and Ferrari driver Davide Rigon both suffered injuries after a four-car accident at the top of the famous corner during the recent Spa 24 Hours GT race.
The accident was caused by Aitken crashing into the left-hand barrier, bouncing back onto the track at the top of the hill and being hit by Rigon with two other cars also colliding in the run-off area on the right.
Despite suffering a broken vertebra and collarbone, the UK-born Korean considered himself “lucky” but was keen to get back racing once healthy.
First of all, thank you to everyone who has supported me in the last 16 hours or so, from the marshalls, medical staff trackside and at the hospital, my wonderful team, fellow drivers and all of you sending messages. All things considered I feel fine, and quite lucky. pic.twitter.com/BvTpwrHzI6
— Jack Aitken – 한세용 (@JaitkenRacer) August 1, 2021
However, the incident brought back bad memories of the near-identical F2 accident which killed Anthoine Hubert in 2019 at the same place, with Juan Manuel Correa, the other driver seriously injured in that crash, seeking action.
“First, and most importantly, I want to say I am extremely happy that Jack, as well as the other racing drivers involved in the accident are recovering from their injuries,” said Correa in a statement.
“The images of the crash are particularly haunting.
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“Since my accident, I have raised various concerns with the FIA and organisers about track and driver safety. I have offered to share information from my own experience.
“I have been seeking answers about what happened, why, and what steps the FIA and other stakeholders have taken to make safety improvements and to avoid another driver from suffering a serious injury in similar circumstances.
“At this time discussions are ongoing with relevant stakeholders to try and resolve my concerns. I am confident those discussions will reach a constructive conclusion and I will be in a better position to comment in the coming weeks.”
Another driver who took part in the fatal Hubert race, Ferrari junior Callum Ilott, also believes more needs to be done at Eau Rouge.
“There needs to be a change at this corner and I’m very surprised nothing has changed yet,” he wrote on social media. “Enough is enough.
“If I’m wrong for chasing for better safety after seeing four of my friends involved in massive accidents then I may as well not be human.
“I’ve come back to Spa after 2019 and I will come back again after this. But that doesn’t mean if something isn’t good enough it shouldn’t be fixed.”
The main issue is not the corner itself but rather the barrier layout and tarmac run-off which create the possibility for cars to bounce back onto the circuit.
It was reported that a gravel trap would be reinstalled where Aitken originally crashed on the left of Eau Rouge in time for 2022, although any other changes are limited due to a lack of space.
But responding to the comments by Ilott, FIA race director Masi insisted the historic circuit, which will host the Belgian Grand Prix later this month, is still safe.
“There have been some works that have been undertaken at Spa in a number of areas, but the Spa circuit holds a current Grade 1 [the licence required for F1],” he said.
“There are a few changes and improvements made year-on-year but I think the way it is, it is safe from an FIA perspective.”
