Wickens wreck a reminder racing will never be safe
fatal 2015 accident at Pocono – to understand the emotions enveloping the paddock on Sunday.
Sebastien Bourdais, involved in his own bone-breaking accident last season at Indianapolis, was clearly shaken during the delay. He drove through large pieces of debris, saw Wickens’ car in the fence and had to process it all while not forgetting the race was going to resume.
“I was really worried for him... he’s hurt, but I hope not too bad. He’s alive,” Bourdais said. As for getting back in his car? “It’s what we do,” he said matter-of-factly. “It’s a bit easier if you know the guy’s made it.”
That’s about as raw as it gets for a race car driver because they don’t talk about risks or admit fear. A scared driver won’t win many races. So the risks remain tucked away while everyone knows there is no such thing as safe.
Safer? Sure. Safe? Never. IndyCar will probably adopt the halo over the cockpit, but only when the head protection device has been effectively tested and is ready. Since Wheldon died when his head hit a pole in the fence at Las Vegas, the drivers have made a compelling case for fortified fencing and alterations that would move the poles outside the track. That should get a strong second look. For now, they race. When IndyCar called drivers back to their cars Sunday, Bourdais was unhappy with the way the fence had been repaired. He made it known he felt the job was inadequate and a danger to the competitors.
Then he got back in the car. “I’m old but I’m not wiser,” he said. “Everybody’s in the seat. You gotta go.”