Planet-F1

Heikki hails F1 safety standards

Friday 9th May 2008

Heikki Kovalainen has hailed the FIA for helping him escape with only concussion from his 150mph smash in Spain 12 days ago.

But the McLaren star has warned they cannot afford to rest on their laurels.

Since Ayrton Senna's death at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994 - the last driver to be killed in a race - the FIA have tirelessly worked to improve safety throughout motor sport, not just Formula One.

However, given F1's global audience and high profile, it has provided the ideal platform to witness the progress made.

Robert Kubica escaped unharmed from his horrendous accident in Canada last year, with Kovalainen following suit at the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.

The Finn will return to the track for today's practice session after being given the green light to race by the FIA's medical team.

Kovalainen said: "I think all the parts of the accident - the car, the barrier, the lift from the car to the medical centre and then onto the hospital - all worked very well.

"Although I was a little bit lucky, it is not only down to luck I came out of the crash, it is really due to the work that has paid off. I can't be more thankful about that.

"But we should carry on working on improving as much as we can. If there are any other areas where we think we can improve we should go for it."

Unlike Kovalainen, BMW's Kubica missed the next race in the United States due to concussion, but he fully appreciates the measures now in place.

He said: "The FIA has done a fantastic job. Our accidents have shown that safety standards in F1 are very high and we have people working on it trying to improve more."

Jenson Button is another who can attest to the improved safety as he careered into a wall emerging out of the tunnel at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2003.

The incident took place in qualifying, and although Button - then with BAR Honda - missed the race the following day, it could have been a far different story.

"It is great that all the time we are taking a view to try and help safety," Button said.

"At the Grand Prix Drivers' Association that's our main aim as well, so it is good we are all working together for a safer sport.

"It is never going to be the safest sport in the world, we all know that.

"But there are certain things we can work on to not take away the excitement, but to make the sport a little bit safer."