Animal rights organisation PETA have called upon the FIA and Formula 1 to improve wildlife deterrents at the Canadian Grand Prix following Alex Albon’s Friday incident.
During the sole Practice session at the Canadian Grand Prix, the Williams driver struck and killed a Marmot. In an attempt to avoid the mammal, Albon crashed his FW48, leaving him with extensive damage. Hindering his participation in the Sprint Qualifying.
Whilst Albon, an avid Animal lover, tried his best to avoid the Marmot, his attempts were futile.
The Canadian Grand Prix always features an appearance by the infamous mammals whose natural habitat is nearby. Whilst cute, appearing on the circuit is not only a safety risk to the animal itself, but also to the drivers. Thus, the organisers of the Canadian GP have put in several deterrents to try and steer groundhogs away from the on-track action.
Founder Ingrid Newkirk hailed Alex Albon a ‘hero’ following his best attempts to avoid hitting the Marmot.
“Alex Albon’s decision to swerve to try to miss hitting a marmot on the track makes him a winner,” Newkirk said in a statement.
“Showing both courage and compassion, he made the split-second choice to value the life of a vulnerable animal, and that wins him a place on the PETA podium.
However, he emphasised that the event organisers, as well as the FOM and FIA, must do more to protect the local wildlife.
“Other species don’t understand racetracks or fast-moving cars. They’re simply trying to go about their lives.
PETA hopes this incident will prompt organisers to implement stronger deterrent measures to protect the animals who call these areas home and the drivers themselves.”
Albon left ‘worried’ after Friday incident
Following the incident during practice, Williams team principal James Vowles said Albon was ‘worried’ following the incident. The Thai driver, who has previously had special helmets advocating for Animals, was “upset” to have had to hit the animal.
“I mean, his initial reaction is obviously frustration, because he was quick up on Carlos. In these sprint sessions, you get 60 minutes, that’s it, and to lose over half of it is frustrating,” Volwes told Sky Sports.
“Back in the garage, he’s more worried about his mum, who suspects he’s going to have to pay to adopt a family of marmots. Because that is a consequence of that.”
Albon starts today’s Canadian Grand Prix in 18th, behind his team-mate Carlos Sainz.
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