SEABASTIAN VETTEL has slammed the guardrails at the Bahrain Grand Prix for failing to protect Romain Grosjean during the Swiss star’s terrifying crash.
Grosjean was taken to hospital after his car smashed through a barrier at 140mph – at a G-force of 53G.
Grosjean’s car burst into flames after it smashed through a guardrail in BahrainCredit: AP
Vettel has criticised the guardrail after it not only failed to protect Grosjean but also put him in even more dangerCredit: Rex Features
The car was sliced into two pieces and burst into flames – with Grosjean trapped in the flaming vehicle for 20 seconds.
The Haas racer’s life was saved only by his halo device and – despite his helmet MELTING – escaped with only burns to his hands.
Grosjean is now recovering in hospital after sharing a positive update with his fans on social media.
But Haas have confirmed he will NOT race at the Sakhir GP despite suggestions he might be ready, with Pietro Fittipaldi taking his seat.
Now, Vettel has criticised the guardrail – designed to prevent cars from further danger following an accident – after it almost killed Grosjean.
Vettel told Sky Sports: “I haven’t looked at the images a lot as I didn’t want to, but the main thing is he got out.
“Obviously the guardrail is not supposed to fail like that.
“I mean it’s good the cars are safer than they used to be in the past.
Grosjean reassured fans he is feeling fine despite burns to his handsCredit: Instagram
Grosjean’s car split in two after his horrifying crash in BahrainCredit: The Mega Agency
“But the guardrail shouldn’t fail and the car shouldn’t catch fire in that fashion.
“I don’t know what happened there.
“I think it’s difficult to say at this stage but the main thing is obviously that he got out.”
F1 boss Ross Brawn said he ‘clearly did not want to see’ the barrier break as it did and promised a ‘deep investigation’.
Brawn said: “It’s shocking for everyone in F1 to see an accident of that severity.
“We’re not used to that, fire being involved as well.
“But I think it’s a tribute to the work that the FIA and the teams have done over the years.
“I think we remember the controversy of the halo when it was introduced.
“And I have to give credit to Jean Todt, because he insisted that it should come through.
“And I think today, we might be looking at a different situation that we didn’t have the halo.
“And for me, that’s what prised, and managed to keep the barrier apart, when the car went through it.
“But I’m sure we’ll have a deep investigation to understand what we can learn from it.
“Because seeing a barrier split like that is clearly not what we want to see.”
Romain Grosjean thanks fans for their support from his hospital bed and says he is sort of okay
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
