MAY 13, 2002

Sato was not lucky

IT is easy to say that Takuma Sato had a miraculous escape in Austria but a point which should be made is that this miracle was as much to do with the laws of physics as it was to do with good fortune. In recent years the teams and the F1 authorities have worked together to improve safety standards. Particular attention has been paid to side impacts because of the dangers that such accidents present.

The Nick Heidfeld-Takuma Sato shunt in Austria was an illustration of how successful those safety campaigns have been so we should not be talking of miracles but rather congratulating those who have done the sums and come up with the answers that can save lives.