While many fans and critics were slamming F1 for being "Boring" this season, many were silenced after the Grand Prix of Bahrain, where there was enough action to make up for the lag that came with the last half of the 2013 season. While many of the features of the Bahrain race were amazing, with the Mercedes duo getting a double-podium and Sergio Perez making an incredible podium finish for Force India, we must not forget that there came bad with the good.
We will not be forgetting the crash between Pastor Maldonado and Esteban Gutierrez, a crash that had my heart racing with panic. With less than half the race left, Maldonado had just pitted and was emerging from the pit-lane, behind Gutierrez, who did not see the Lotus coming up behind him. The Sauber took the corner and Maldonado tried to squeeze in to a gap that was clearly not there. A very dangerous move, indeed. The Lotus made sharp contact with the Sauber, sending it up into the air to flip over, before landing heavily right-side-up. It appeared Maldonado had no damage to his car as he sped-off, leaving the scene, meanwhile Esteban sat in his car, shocked by the event and radiod his team asking, "What was that?"
The young rookie then climbed out of the car, unassisted and took a look at the damage that been done to his Sauber. (His chassis is currently going to be replaced for the Chinese GP.)
While we're all extremely thankful and relieved that Esteban had no injuries and is doing ok, I don't feel the penalties given to Maldonado are enough for what occurred. During the race, after the accident, Maldonado was given a 10-Second-Drive-Through-Penalty. He was also given 3 Penalty Points to his super license and a 5-Place-Grid-Penalty for China. but do those 3 penalties really compare to a race ban?
For example, back in 2012, at Spa, Romain Grosjean caused a very big accident, involving multiple cars and he was given a race ban. Why should Maldonado get any less? The Venezuelan driver has been involved with many accidents, which of most he's caused. I think the choice not to give him a race ban for China was not the best choice, but F1 is unpredictable and sometimes unfair.
I'm curious to see what happens in China, especially if they end up racing side-by-side. One thing is for sure, the safety of the modern F1 car is a lot different from how the cars from the 60's and 70's were built. If the accident had happened back then, the driver would've probably not survived. So, the drivers are very lucky to be living in a day and age where the cars are built a lot better and safer.
Article Written By: Amy Hawk.
No Copyright Infringement Intended.
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