General
Spicy drivers briefing coming up: two absolutely important issues on agenda
- GPblog.com
Solving the case regarding the budget cap overrun is perhaps the FIA's main priority at the moment, but at the same time, another very important issue remains unfinished: that of the crane at the Suzuka circuit. The driver briefing this Friday will discuss the incident in detail.
The FIA already came out with a statement on Thursday that "procedural errors" were identified in the investigation that was launched immediately after the Japan Grand Prix. The report has not yet been published, but its findings will no doubt be shared with Formula 1 drivers. Indeed, they are furious that this could have happened.
Many drivers spoke outraged after the Japanese GP that a crane was present on the tarmac while cars were yet to pass. Jules Bianchi tragically met his end in 2015 because of a crash with a crane. Pierre Gasly scathingly lashed out at the FIA and so he and other drivers will want to know the ins and outs.
FIA is going to come up with answers
Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich are the two race directors this season and they alternate. However, at least in the United States, they will both be present in the driver briefing. The president of the drivers' union GPDA, George Russell, is curious: "We will find out here what the situation has been from a race control point of view."
Speaking to Motorsport-Total.com again, he stressed, "I think we can all agree that this was absolutely not right. You should never end up in such a scenario." The FIA's report is expected to be made public shortly, so that fans will also get to know exactly what went wrong and what is being done to prevent a repeat.