Duty of care

[Langers]

Enough is enough with teams leaving drivers out in cars when they are clearly in no fit state to do so. Even though the commentators didn’t say anything, it was obvious that Reynolds had a speed problem and was losing rapidly to Lowndes. This should have prompted questions. Then when he revealed the leg cramps and was unable to make a clear decision / give clear direction as to whether to stay in the car or not, it was again clear that the team should have put in Youlden. Even without the benefit of hindsight, it would have been the safer move.

Instead, they left a driver out too long, he made a mistake in the pit stop and a top 5 result turned to top 15.

Someone also needs to take responsibility for what was clearly too hectic a schedule during the week for Reynolds to handle. Right at the very start of the race when he said he was running on 5 hours sleep or less for successive days, alarm bells immediately rang for me. You just can’t perform at your best on such a sleep deficit.

This is not the first time a team has failed to act. I remember Slade a few years ago being absolutely cooked.

Was also concerned to hear remarks from Lowndes and Premat that neither the 17 or 888 were running driver cooking gear, presumably to save weight.

The size of the drink bottles in the cars is pathetic compared to the amount of fluid drivers would lose in 3 stints. Again, putting car performance ahead of driver health and safety.

Something has to change. Drivers can’t make the right decisions themselves when they are completely cooked.