Massa calls for tyre barrier changes

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kipi19

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#1 kipi19
Member since 2005 • 4590 Posts

Felipe Massa has called on the FIA to look into the construction of tyre barriers at grand prix tracks after Heikki Kovalainen's Barcelona crash.

The Finn escaped serious injury when his McLaren-Mercedes speared off the circuit and into the tyre wall at high-speed in Spain.

But there were some anxious moments as the McLaren dug in under the tyres and the conveyor belt that connects them, with the car's cockpit and Kovalainen's helmet buried under the tyres.

While Massa was generally impressed with the safety facilities after Kovalainen's escape, he was concerned by the manner in which the car disappeared underneath the barriers.

"I was very pleased to hear that Heikki was okay after his accident," Massa said.

"For sure, if you have a failure on the car, there is nothing you can do as a driver.

"Given how hard the impact was and the fact that he escaped injury means the track safety features were generally the way they should be.

"And the car stood up very well too.

"The only unusual feature was that the car went under and through the tyre barrier and so did his head.

"That is a bit scary and I think the FIA should look into the construction of the whole barrier system."

Kovalainen was released from hospital the day after the crash, and is expecting to be fit to race in Turkey.

He must undergo a medical examination on the Thursday prior to the race before he can be given clearance to compete.

Source: ITV.com/F1

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kipi19

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#2 kipi19
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Are the drivers over-reacting to this accident? After Mark Webber calls for a runoff area and now Massa wants tyre barriers to be looked at?
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wombat26

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#3 wombat26
Member since 2005 • 2284 Posts
I don't think the drivers are overreacting. I mean, driver safety has to be paramount, and it really didn't look good when the majority of Kovalainen's McLaren disappeared under the barriers.