'We hit the wall and it hurts': Lewis Hamilton highlights dangers following F1 death
Lewis Hamilton has accused Formula One observers of failing to appreciate the dangers which come with top-level motor racing.
The topic of safety is high on the agenda heading into Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix following the tragic passing of Jules Bianchi.
The 25-year-old was laid to rest on Tuesday after he succumbed to the brain injuries he sustained at last year’s rain-lashed Japanese Grand Prix.
His death was the first in a Formula One generation. Indeed the sport has not mourned the passing of another driver since Ayrton Senna was killed at the San Marino Grand Prix more than two decades ago.
“People watching generally underestimate the danger of our sport,” said Hamilton, who is bidding for a record fifth victory in Hungary.
“They are like, ’Oh, there hasn’t been anything dangerous for 20 years, so it is not really dangerous – all you guys do is sit there’.
“But actually when we are out there we are driving this thing and it is bloody fast – one slip up and we are in the wall and it hurts.”
Hamilton’s testament was evident on Friday with Sergio Perez fortunate to escape a terrifying crash in the opening practice session at the Hungaroring.
The Mexican driver suffered a rear suspension failure causing him to lose control of his Force India on the exit of turn 11 before crashing into the barriers, his car flipping into the air.
With his car on its roof, Perez scrambled out of his cockpit before paying a visit to the medical centre.
He was quickly given the all-clear, but Force India withdrew both Perez and his team-mate Nico Hulkenberg from the second practice session, with investigations into the crash described as “ongoing”.
“It is there in our mind always, in terms of we are fully accepting and aware that when we are getting in the car there are dangers involved,” added Hamilton, who was in imperious form as he completed a practice double on Friday.
“We don’t get in the car like we are Hollywood movie stars.
“That is why we train the way we do, focus the way we do, and I think that view is missed from the people watching TV, and I think they don’t appreciate it.”
But Hamilton insisted Bianchi’s tragic death has not affected his thirst for living on the edge.
He added: “Whatever it is I do – even if it is not cars – I do dangerous things, because dangerous things are generally more exciting and where the thrills comes from.
“It is why people love going on rollercoaster rides because there is a danger factor.
“I don’t think you will ever be able to take that away from racing, and if they did, I wonder if it would have the same excitement.”
