From the Hungarian Grand Prix onwards television crews working in the pit lane will only be permitted to stand on the pit wall, Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has announced. The safety move follows the dramatic events at the Nürburgring, when a cameraman was hit by a loose wheel from the Red Bull of Mark Webber.
During the first pit-stop phase, the Australian’s right-rear wheel was not fitted correctly before his release. The tyre then bounced down the pit lane and struck cameraman Paul Allen on the back; he was taken to the medical centre and later transported to hospital, where a broken collarbone, broken ribs and concussion were diagnosed.
"It's a terrible thing to say, but it was just one of those things," Ecclestone told Sky Sports. "There was a whole bunch of mechanics and the tyre could have hit any one of those guys. The cameraman just happened to be looking the wrong way at the wrong time. In future, all our camera crews will only be allowed to film from the pit wall."
FOM has stated that the cameraman is due to make a full recovery from his injuries. Red Bull was given a fine of €30,000 (£25,834) for Webber’s unsafe release.
During the first pit-stop phase, the Australian’s right-rear wheel was not fitted correctly before his release. The tyre then bounced down the pit lane and struck cameraman Paul Allen on the back; he was taken to the medical centre and later transported to hospital, where a broken collarbone, broken ribs and concussion were diagnosed.
"It's a terrible thing to say, but it was just one of those things," Ecclestone told Sky Sports. "There was a whole bunch of mechanics and the tyre could have hit any one of those guys. The cameraman just happened to be looking the wrong way at the wrong time. In future, all our camera crews will only be allowed to film from the pit wall."
FOM has stated that the cameraman is due to make a full recovery from his injuries. Red Bull was given a fine of €30,000 (£25,834) for Webber’s unsafe release.
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