The first lap incident during Sunday’s Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix served as a reminder that no matter the safety advancements, motorsport will always remain a dangerous thing.
On the opening lap of Sunday’s race, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was unaware of Haas’ Kevin Magnussen at his rear right wheel on the run-up Beau Rivage.
The pair touched, sending Perez’s Red Bull into a violent spin, hitting the barriers with force whilst collecting both Magnussen and Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg in the process.
The remarkable safety advancements in F1 meant that all three drivers walked away unscathed.
However, as is the case with top-tier open-wheel racing, the forces generated in impacts are high and video footage showed loose carbon fibre cascading from the scene and through the catch fencing.
Scary images showed trackside photographers running for cover as what was essential carbon shrapnel rained down upon them from the crash.
Thankfully, everyone standing by, photographers, marshalls and spectators escaped the scene without being seriously harmed.
Reports indicated that one photographer was attended to with injuries, but was later given the all-clear.
This incident was a potent recall for those who perhaps take the peril of motorsport for granted.
Despite advancements such as crash structures, the halo, safer barriers and more, danger is always a prominent factor in motorsport.
But with each serious incident comes a swift response.
For instance, Romain Grosjean’s terrifying crash at the Bahrain circuit in 2020 prompted F1 and the FIA to strengthen the cars and the Halo is a product of tragic head injuries from years gone by.
No doubt that after the Lap 1 crash at Monaco, an investigation will be held as to how safety can be improved for all parties involved, particular those watching trackside, to mitigate the effect debris can have from a crash.
Until then, it is important to reflect on how positive it is nobody was hurt, but how crucial it is to make sure the jeopardy of such a situation on Sunday is averted as much as possible in the future.
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