For all the other drivers in Sochi, they will carry the message “ForzaJules”
on their helmets, but not racing is out of the question. They spoke movingly
on Thursday about the torment of the five days since the rain-soaked race in
Suzuka.
Felipe Massa, who suffered his own life-threatening accident five years ago,
described it as the worst race of his life. Fernando Alonso, who appeared
emotionally drained at the main drivers’ press conference on Thursday, said
the whole grid would race for Bianchi but it would be extremely tough given
the circumstances. Nico Rosberg added: “Everyone is talking and thinking
about Jules.”
The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association had warned its members to avoid publicly
commenting until the FIA published its report into the crash.
Force India’s Pérez did not stick to the script. The angry Mexican said: “It
is not acceptable. We have to look for answers from the FIA on what happened
in this tragic accident. We have to make sure they hear us. In the future
when there is a tractor coming up to pick up the car, we need a safety car,
no matter what the conditions.
“We will go through every single detail – or at least myself, I’m sure many
drivers will support this idea – but we want to go into full detail on what
happened. We’ve got to be together, we are together.” His comments suggest
the main demand made of the authorities will be surrounding the use of
recovery tractors while the race is ongoing.
Rosberg, like most of his colleagues, was coy on the details, but said on
Thursday night: “There are certain topics we want to approach. Everything
must be looked at. There are changes we want for this weekend, but I am not
going to give you details.”
Jenson
Button, the most experienced on the grid and a director of the GPDA,
cautioned against emotions getting the better of the drivers. He also said
he expected more drivers to join the association following Bianchi’s
accident. “At the moment it’s inappropriate for us to be outspoken,” the
34-year-old said. “There should be no pointing fingers. There’s an
investigation going on.”
Race director Charlie Whiting’s report into the Bianchi crash is understood to
be being finalised overnight. With Jean Todt, the FIA president, arriving at
the track in Sochi, the conclusions of the dossier will be briefed to the
media on Friday.
Much of the debate in recent days has centred on whether introducing ‘closed
cockpits’ might minimise the danger, although it remains unknown if this
would have helped in Bianchi’s case. Alonso said on Thursday he was nearly
killed in the start of the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix when another car came
over his cockpit nearly hitting his head, as he supported further research
into the idea.
Bianchi remains in a “critical but stable” condition in intensive care with a
diffuse axonal injury. He sustained severe head injuries after hitting a
tractor clearing Adrian Sutil’s Sauber as track conditions worsened.