Two-time former
Formula 1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi has spoken effusively about the safety standards in the modern day top flight, in the wake of
Heikki Kovalainen's terrifying crash in last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.
Having just moved into the lead of the race during the first pit-stop window period at the time, Kovalainen's McLaren-Mercedes then suffered what is suspected to have been a wheel rim failure going through the high-speed turn nine at around 145mph. That in turn punctured the left front tyre on his MP4-23, rendering the young Finn a helpless passenger as his car plunged headfirst at unabated pace into the gravel, embedding itself deeply in the Circuit de Catalunya's tyre barriers.
Though initially some feared the worst given the sheer force of the impact measured at some 26g happily Kovalainen was seen giving the thumbs-up as he was stretchered away to the track's medical centre.
Having been knocked fleetingly unconscious in the accident of which the 26-year-old says he remembers nothing [see separate story
click here] subsequent tests at the Hospital General de Catalunya in Sant Cugat del Valles, Barcelona thankfully revealed nothing more serious than mild concussion and slight injuries to his neck and elbow.
1972 and 1974 title-winner Fittipaldi now heavily involved in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport with Team Brazil was quick to praise the safety measures introduced into the sport, especially given that in the era in which he raced, at least two drivers were expected to be killed every year.
In the last 30 years I think the big improvement in racing has been safety and the improvements with tracks, the 61-year-old told the
Press Association. Carbon fibre means the cars are much stronger and the drivers' equipment and rescue teams are better. The whole safety level has improved tremendously, and that's very good news.
