The burning Ferrari F1-75 at the 2022 Austrian Formula One race and how Carlos Sainz experienced the subsequent extinguishing operations at turn 4
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz criticises the intervention of the sports officials at the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring near Spielberg. Because, in his opinion, it took too long for first responders to arrive at his burning car after he had parked it in the run-off zone of Turn 4.
Sainz says: “I think this whole process was a bit slow. We definitely have to look at that to see what could have happened a bit quicker.”
Indeed, around 25 seconds elapse between the car being parked in the run-off zone and the moment the first helper from the safety squad reaches the vehicle. Another ten seconds or so later, the helper has successfully fought the fire in the rear of the Ferrari F1-75 with his fire extinguisher.
Criticism also from IndyCar driver McLaughlin
The length of the process is also criticised by IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin. He wrote on Twitter, “[It’s] crazy how long it took for help to arrive for Carlos Sainz.” McLaughlin ties this message to a “thank you to the IndyCar safety team. “
Crazy how long that took for people to help @Carlossainz55 there. thank you @indycar_safety
– Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) July 10, 2022
One reason why at least the extinguishing work did not take place sooner is: the Ferrari was on a sloping part of the run-off zone and was rolling downhill back towards the circuit. So the arriving helper had to secure the car first (with a block under the right front wheel) before he could start fighting the fire.
Why Sainz initially stayed in the car
This is how Sainz experienced the situation: “I saw the fire in the rear-view mirrors. At the same time, I stepped on the brakes. But when I wanted to get out, I noticed that the car was rolling backwards. I didn’t want to leave the car and let it roll backwards uncontrollably.”
He had shouted to the sports attendants to come and help and put something under the tyres, he said. “But at some point the fire was so big that I really had to get out,” Sainz said. “That was, I think, right when a sportsman came and stopped the car.” And as a result, Sainz quickly made his way to safety.
Sainz fails to mention that he had previously – after the sudden loss of power due to engine failure – driven past several posts of sports stewards before stopping his car. He also fails to mention that after the engine damage occurred, he drove across the track to the left before turn 4 and thus onto the racing line, where fluids could theoretically have leaked out – at the braking point before a tricky turn.
