He was replaced for this weekend by McLaren reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne, who won the GP2 title in 2015 after a fast, consistent year of racing. While that may augur well for McLaren, the spotlight is now, once again, on safety for F1 drivers, given the tragic death of Jules Bianchi in 2015 after 9 months in a coma.
Bianchi, who died from complications of the injuries he sustained at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, was the first death in Formula One since that of Ayrton Senna in 1994. Many may argue that 20 years is a significant gap without injuries, especially in a sport that is predicated on high speeds and aggressive driving.
Former Formula One executive Mark Gallagher has worked with some of the best teams in the business. Jordan Grand Prix, helmed by the mercurial Eddie Jordan, who was arguably instrumental in helping put Michael Schumacher on the map – it was the team he made his Formula One debut with.
Ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Gallagher discussed the halo Ferrari debuted in Barcelona, and then spoke again following Alonso’s shunt in Melbourne.
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Scuderia Ferrari debuted the halo at testing, with Kimi Raikkonen the first to use it. While other drivers and some fans complained it would hamper visibility, Kimi himself said it was “okay.” Having worked closely with cars and drivers for so long, what are your thoughts?
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