[Official] British Grand Prix 2022: Grand Prix Weekend Thread - Round 10 of 22

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Greem

I hope everyone understands that I'm not at liberty to mention anything further about the incident excepting that we were all ok, so was Zhou, and despite quibbling over minimum weight of cars they are bloody heavy (and hot!) when you're one of three people using your own weight to hold it vertically against the fence!

What wasn't shown on TV, obviously, was the application of years of experience by a group of people who "play with racing cars" at weekends. I'm really proud of the way the team handled it - from Dr Ian Roberts down to the bloke doing his second Grand Prix. That was a very complex extrication!

Fantastic job Graeme, well done to you and all concerned.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Greem

I hope everyone understands that I'm not at liberty to mention anything further about the incident excepting that we were all ok, so was Zhou, and despite quibbling over minimum weight of cars they are bloody heavy (and hot!) when you're one of three people using your own weight to hold it vertically against the fence!

What wasn't shown on TV, obviously, was the application of years of experience by a group of people who "play with racing cars" at weekends. I'm really proud of the way the team handled it - from Dr Ian Roberts down to the bloke doing his second Grand Prix. That was a very complex extrication!

You and your team clearly did an outstanding job.

[S griffin]

No surprises there. The British Marshals always do a spectacular job and are the high standard that other countries aim to be like

[P38 in workshop]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Pre-halo the roll hoop needed to be taller to give the clearance for the drivers head if the car ended up upside down (there used to be an imaginary line drawn from the top of the roll hoop to the front of the cockpit - the drivers head had to be under that line.). With the halo in place the drivers head is already protected so the airbox doesn't need to be as strong so high up any more.



This is something that all competitors are grateful for - when we go and compete we know that if something does go wrong we've got the best people available to help

It was actually a long time ago that the driver's head had to clear that particular line.At least twenty five years ago the requirement was that the helmet had to be 50mm below the line.

I think the marshals did a fantastic job and I hope the rest of the world takes note of how well it can be done.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by Greem

I think, in this incident, the fact there were three badly damaged cars meant they stopped the minimum distance from all three - yes, there was running involved but if they'd come all the way to Zhou's side it would have delayed getting to Albon. I am only presuming here, though, as I was also running!

That's great Greem, thanks. With all of the focus being on Zhou at the time, I'd forgotten about Albon's position too.

[Lancsbreaker]

As an (possibly-ex ) racer, I've long had unmitigated admiration for the Orange Army, and would add my thanks and applause for Greem and all the team involved in helping our racing go ahead in relative safety.


One thing that did occur is that we have over the years heard complaints about trackside fencing interfering with viewing and photography.........I think we can agree that without it we would have been contemplating the outcome of an appalling disaster, and doubtless calls for the cessation of our sport.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

As an (possibly-ex ) racer, I've long had unmitigated admiration for the Orange Army, and would add my thanks and applause for Greem and all the team involved in helping our racing go ahead in relative safety.


One thing that did occur is that we have over the years heard complaints about trackside fencing interfering with viewing and photography.........I think we can agree that without it we would have been contemplating the outcome of an appalling disaster, and doubtless calls for the cessation of our sport.

Yes, absolutely right. As one of those who have moaned a fair bit about the view from my lens being 'blighted' by debris fencing, I have to accept that when you see an accident like that one, you have no problem accepting that it is wholly necessary....

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Greem

Hello everyone

Trust me - given I was holding Zhou's car against the fence - that the red flag flew for the crash. The protesters, although a nuisance, chose their timing very poorly indeed.

That accident was the most extreme and violent I've seen close up, and I've seen a few. When I saw the thumb up from one of the team I was very relieved indeed. And then we needed to stabilise the car to let the extrication team do their thing. Outcome: favourable, although I expect he'll feel a bit sore tomorrow!

I definitely didn't have "car lands behind barrier" on my bingo card.

Good on you and all the Marshalls. It would be fascinating to read how you all dealt with the extraction having seen the rather distasteful photo on ESPN with the poor Guy still in the car. Maybe Autosport or MN could run something.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by steve_r

Well, that was fun.

People were rightly concerned and asking about Zhou, but are there any updates on Albon, who was sent to hospital?

The protesters could not have picked a worse time to glue themselves to the track or have their sit on, or wahterever it was that they were doing, as it seemed to have absolutely no impact on anything in the end and generated no air time at all. I only found out that it happened by accident.

No doubt if the WOKE BBC had had cameras there it would have been all over their platforms Good on Liberty for denying them the Oxygen of publicity There is a time and a place and that wasn't it Mind you I find it funny they probably had to pay to get in.....

[Greem]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Good on you and all the Marshalls. It would be fascinating to read how you all dealt with the extraction having seen the rather distasteful photo on ESPN with the poor Guy still in the car. Maybe Autosport or MN could run something.

Bear in mind that where Zhou landed is the classic first corner photographer location, so they were all there already. None of the photos were published anywhere until well after it was known he was in good health.

That said... the photo rather clearly illustrated the lack of space. Three of us forced the car back up to near vertical by heaving ourselves against the armco and bodywork/tyres, which gave the doctors and extrication team room to work. They then carried out a fairly slow but reasonably standard extrication, excepting the fact everything was 90 degrees out of whack! Once he'd been lifted onto the tyrewall and the scoop stretcher, we could carefully lower the car back down and start the next phase:

"How the hell do we lift this?"

A bit of ingenuity from the team, and soon we had it on the flatbed.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Greem

Bear in mind that where Zhou landed is the classic first corner photographer location, so they were all there already. None of the photos were published anywhere until well after it was known he was in good health.

That said... the photo rather clearly illustrated the lack of space. Three of us forced the car back up to near vertical by heaving ourselves against the armco and bodywork/tyres, which gave the doctors and extrication team room to work. They then carried out a fairly slow but reasonably standard extrication, excepting the fact everything was 90 degrees out of whack! Once he'd been lifted onto the tyrewall and the scoop stretcher, we could carefully lower the car back down and start the next phase:

"How the hell do we lift this?"

A bit of ingenuity from the team, and soon we had it on the flatbed.

Incredible

[BTCC frog]

Congratulations from me also, Greem, for your role in making sure Zhou Guanyu was out of the car safely after that horrible accident. Seeing the car go over the barrier like that was also a reminder that marshals are risking their lives just as much as drivers for our entertainment.

Out of interest, was this the most serious accident you have been involved in?

[Greem]

Most serious? No, as there were no injuries.

Most violent, extreme and tricky to manage? I think yes, probably!

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Also, interestingly, the race wasn't red flagged due to Zhou. It was track invaders on Wellington Straight. The first race control message was Yellow Flag in Sector 2, before the cars had arrived. Then Yellow Flag in Sector 1 for the accident. Then Red Flag less than 5 seconds after the accident begun - which was triggered by the marshals on the Wellington Straight.

Onboards from the cars on F1TV showed the protestors on the left hand side of the track by the time the cars got there, at significantly reduced speed.

There is some phone video footage on the Internet at the moment.
In the video, you can see the red flags / lights being displayed before the protestors reach the track.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Greem

Most serious? No, as there were no injuries.

Most violent, extreme and tricky to manage? I think yes, probably!

Also just like to say well done Greem and all concerned. Without you marshalls dedication and clear thinking in high pressure and stressful situations, motorsport could never function properly.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Also just like to say well done Greem and all concerned. Without you marshalls dedication and clear thinking in high pressure and stressful situations, motorsport could never function properly.

I can't say it better, so I am just agreeing with the above.

Richard

[Tourer]

Thanks for sharing your experiences Greem (& doing a clearly great job on the day) - the 10/10ths "man on the spot" reporting is greatly appreciated.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Well done to you and your colleagues Greem, it's times like this when the value of you wonderful bunch of orange clad volunteers can really be appreciated.

Seconded.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Seconded.

+1 more

[chillibowl]

amazing work done by you and your fellow marshals Greem!

if there is somewhere i can make a donation or add to a fund that helps you guys continue to do what you do please let me know!

[S griffin]

When I first saw photos of the protesters, I initially thought they were on the Hangar Straight, which is bad enough, only to find out they were on the Wellington Straight, just as the cars were heading down there. Zhou's accident really was a blessing in disguise in that respect. I shudder to think what would have happened had the cars still been racing, especially if someone had an incident similar to Kimi in 2014

Frankly I have no sympathy for the protesters. I hope they get the book thrown at them. Doing it at a football match is one thing, it's a nuisance nothing more, but to do it on a live race track is beyond stupid. Racing is dangerous enough without unnecessary risks caused by idiots like that. Someone ought to show them 1977 Kyalami...

[Derwent]

What were they actually protesting about?

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Derwent

What were they actually protesting about?

Just Stop Oil. Same lot who have been gluing themselves to paintings.

https://edition.cnn.com/style/articl...ate/index.html

[E.B]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Just Stop Oil. Same lot who have been gluing themselves to paintings.

https://edition.cnn.com/style/articl...ate/index.html

Chop their bloody fingers off. That will stop them.

[Anyopenroad]

Originally Posted by E.B

Chop their bloody fingers off. That will stop them.

Or just leave them there. I don't see why the gallery authorities should be responsible for unsticking them.