07/07/2013
NEWS STORY
F1 safety was in the headlines again today when a cameraman was injured by a wheel that came off Mark Webber's car as he headed down the pitlane after his first pit stop.
The sport was already in the spotlight following last week's numerous tyre failures at Silverstone, failures which almost got the race stopped by race director Charlie Whiting and led to the Grand Prix Drivers' Association threatening to boycott this weekend's German Grand Prix should there be any repeats.
As it happens, the Pirellis did their job, and while drivers complained of a lack of grip - as they so often do - there were no failures.
However, the vultures of the mainstream media got their 'F1 in safety crisis' headlines when Mark Webber left his pit slot before being given the all-clear. As the Australian headed back down the pitlane his right-rear wheel came off and hit an FOM cameraman.
While the Austrian team was subsequently fined 30,000 euros for the incident, it once again focuses on safety standards in the sport coming, as it does, after the Silverstone tyre failures and the death of a marshal during the Canadian Grand Prix.
Shortly after the end of the race, the FIA issue a brief statement:
"During the German GP, an FOM cameraman in pit lane was struck by a loose wheel. Paul Allen was hit on the left hand side. Remaining conscious, he was treated at the circuit medical centre and then transported by helicopter to Koblenz Hospital. The Briton has been kept there, under observation. Further information from the hospital will be provided as soon as it becomes available."
All the teams sent their best wishes to the cameraman, who is expected to remain in hospital for another couple of days.
In the meantime, it is expected that the FIA will carry out a full investigation amidst suggestions that all workers in the pitlane, including cameramen, should wear protective clothing including headgear.
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