MAY 23, 2012

Barcelona fire prompts safety rethink

Williams chief operating engineer Mark Gillan says that the team's pit fire after the Spanish GP has prompted a number of procedural changes and safety discussions with the FIA.

Williams chief operating engineer Mark Gillan says that the team's pit fire after the Spanish GP has prompted a number of procedural changes and safety discussions with the FIA.

He also confirmed that one Williams team member is still hospitalised as a result of the fire.

"He's in good spirits and we hope to have him home in 10 days," Gillan said. He added that there was "a need to look at the fire and medical support and that undoubtedly things will change."

Gillan confirmed that it was a fuel-handling issue that prompted the fire and that he had made a full report to the Technical Working Group last Friday as well as circulating other teams with a list of changes that Williams intends to take.

In the aviation industry, for example, there is concern over the affects of burning carbon fibre and Gillan added: "We are in discussion with both the FIA and health and safety people about it and we need to ensure that adequate checks are in place for those exposed to it."

There are also issues over such things as burning plastic used for garage partitioning.

Williams lost 90% of its garage equipment in the fire, including the metallic elements of Bruno Senna's chassis, although the tub itself survived and will be raced in Monaco.