Mercedes’ George Russell has blasted the FIA for their negligent actions that almost led to a serious crash for Pierre Gasly.
The drivers started an extremely wet race in Suzuka on the Intermediates, and on the opening lap, Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari aquaplaned at Turn 11, sending him into the wall and out of the race.
That dislodged the advertising hoarding on the barrier, and while that was going on, Alex Albon was grinding to a halt because his engine had died.
Before a red flag was called, race control somehow decided that sending a recovery vehicle out on track was a smart idea, and as Gasly came through on the second lap, he almost collided with it.
READ: ‘Get out of the way’: George Russell’s near-miss with Pierre Gasly at Suzuka
Visibility was poor, and it was out of pure luck that the 26-year-old missed the crane, which ought not to have been sent out before the drivers had made it back to the pits.
The AlphaTauri driver said that he could have died on the radio, and he accused the governing body of disrespect after the race.
Jules Bianchi passed away in 2015 after his horrific crash in Japan in 2014, which would not have been a fatal one had there not been a crane on the circuit.
But the FIA displayed a lack of regard for the safety of the drivers and the marshals on Sunday, as well as a complete absence of enlightenment after Bianchi’s death.
After the race, Russell was adamant that the truck was allowed to enter the racetrack while there were other cars running on it.
“It’s not the Pierre Gasly incident, it’s the incident of the FIA bringing the tractor on the track,” he told Canal Plus.
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“It’s totally unacceptable in any condition or circumstances.”
Russell finished eighth after being passed by Fernando Alonso on the final lap, while Max Verstappen won to seal his second world championship.
Gasly has been given a 20-second penalty and two penalty points for speeding during the red flag period, while the FIA are now investigating their recovery vehicle procedure.