High-speed racing is only possible when the utmost safety is guaranteed. However, with the high speeds that F1 drivers race at, safety is never guaranteed. Keeping that in mind, the governing body has taken steps over the years to raise safety standards. Although, following the events of the current season, especially the Mexican GP, Carlos Sainz can be concerned.
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The Spaniard has seen his car blow out smoke on multiple occasions in the current season. One particular occasion saw Sainz’s Ferrari catch fire. The situation became a little tricky as the Spaniard was struggling to escape his car as it rolled backward. However, if we couple his car catching fire and the incidents of the Mexican GP, we could’ve witnessed a fatal incident.
In Mexico, Sainz struggled to get out of his car on two separate occasions. The very device protecting the driver’s head and neck blocked the Ferrari man from getting out of his car. The Head and Neck Safety device (HANS) is attached to the driver’s helmet and the cockpit’s opening.
Without unhooking the HANS device, the drivers cannot get out of their cars. This is exactly what is happening with Sainz in parc ferme in the last couple of races. This situation is seemingly harmless in parc ferme. However, put this scenario in a car on fire and Sainz might not survive the situation.
Read More: NASCAR Fans Criticise ‘Alternative’ HANS Device
Sainz’s dashcam footage showcased the Spaniard needing a hand to unhook the HANS device.
Carlos Sainz trapped in his car and fans showcase their concern
“The FIA has studied a number of accidents and for some of them we estimate that the drivers and co-drivers would not have survived without the use of FHR devices,” says FIA Head of Competitor Safety, Nuno Costa.
Now imagine a mandatory safety device responsible for causing a fatality. This is exactly what the fans are pointing out after safety was out of Sainz’s HANS.
Ferrari needs to get their shit together. This is EXTREMELY dangerous.
Yesterday Carlos had the same issue. They can’t ply around with their safety. pic.twitter.com/zxL2YHURmk
— bru (@softsainz) October 30, 2022
Carlos still had a little bit of a problem getting out of his car after the race. pic.twitter.com/uLnOX8pQYS
— Chanel⁵⁵ (@Carlos55edits) October 30, 2022
The fans are rallying for Ferrari to check the HANS attachment on Sainz’s car, which can become a safety concern.
carlos was stuck AGAIN in the car. imagine if it was an emergency i can’t even think about that pic.twitter.com/cM4o7ErsxD
— giorgia ⁵⁵ (@sopietv) October 30, 2022
How is carlos literally getting STUCK in his car?? Pretty sure thats very illegal and so dangerous pic.twitter.com/YdJECVtG3i
— annie⁴ (@landosmarvel) October 30, 2022
this is the 2nd time carlos has gotten stuck in the car i cant imagine what would happen if there was an emergency
pic.twitter.com/xyFndmpbAN— Maeve (@k1ngleclerc) October 30, 2022
WATCH THIS STORY: Most Dangerous Crashes in F1 History
Carlos was stuck for a second pic.twitter.com/D0ZxSMtvsp
— Chanel⁵⁵ (@Carlos55edits) October 29, 2022
That Carlos vids being stuck in the car makes me worry. What if that happens when the car catches fire of something like that? It has to be fixed, please 🥲
— 🌸Noe🌸 (@f1noevv7) October 30, 2022
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🇲🇽#MexicoGP Once again Carlos got stuck in his after the race. Jokes aside this is safety problem if this happens in an accident, or like in Austria. #CarlosSainz #F1 pic.twitter.com/Ic47jQG6Ut
— Carlos Sainz News (@CSainzNews) October 30, 2022
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Fans point out the multiple scenarios in which this situation can become extremely dangerous. Luckily for Sainz, no such incident occurred during the Mexican Grand Prix.
However, Ferrari cannot take this lightly and need to fix Sainz’s F1-75 ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix.