Sakhir Grand Prix

Grosjean crash serves reminder drivers are 'humans not objects' - Vettel

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale Friday 4 December 2020 09:45

Sebastian Vettel believes it is vital Formula 1 is given time to review the handling of the aftermath of Romain Grosjean's accident at the Bahrain Grand Prix but that the images will serve as a reminder F1 drivers are "not objects".

Grosjean escaped serious injury after a horrifying incident on lap one of the race last weekend, suffering burns to his hands in a miraculous escape.

In the aftermath, both Vettel and Renault's Daniel Ricciardo were highly critical of the sport's continuous broadcasting of the incident, with the Australian, in particular, claiming the handling was "disgusting".

Four-time world champion Vettel suggested he would wait until the investigation into the coverage was complete before searching for any reassurance or reflections.

"I think we must be respectful of the fact that the investigation will be very thorough and that sometimes, you will get answers in general," he explained.

"No rush on that and no disappointment. I think it probably showed on Sunday that we are sitting at two different sides of the table.

"We are the ones sitting in the cars and exposed to the risks and the limits and so on and everyone who is watching sometimes criticise that it is not dangerous enough, not exciting enough but the risk will always be there.

"It is good to see that there is a continuous effort being made, and the chances with these incidents being taken seriously, to try to improve.

"It is a reminder of the fact, hopefully, for the other side that we are not objects in the car, we are human beings."

F1 had an 85-minute red-flag delay to fill as Grosjean's Haas was recovered and a new, concrete barrier was installed in place of the wrecked metal retaining fence that originally lined the service road at the exit of turn three.

But Vettel stated that regardless of the fact Grosjean was seen to emerge from the incident somewhat unscathed, the pictures of the harrowing ordeal endured by the Frenchman would be too strong for many with a person effectively fighting for survival.

"We put our lives on the line but it is something we are happy to do because we have a great passion," he added.

"Still sometimes, here and there I wish there could be a bit more respect, so showing the incidents over and over was probably not the way of doing that.

"For sure, everyone saw that Romain was okay but it doesn't change the fact that there are kids watching.

"It wasn't a nice thing to watch in general if you imagine there is a soul in that car who is trying and fighting to get out."