European F3 teams angered by Zandvoort crane incident

European Formula 3 Championship competitors expressed their anger after a crane retrieved a stranded car under yellow flags during Sunday’s final race at Zandvoort.

Carlin driver Weiron Tan went off track at one of the Dutch circuit’s fast righthanders near the back of the circuit in the final stages of the race, which was won by Prema’s Maximilian Gunther ( see right), with a crane dispatched to recover his Dallara.

The vehicle was sent against the direction of the circuit from the following corner to collect the stranded car, which was separated from the circuit by an extensive grass run-off area, with local yellow flags in place where Tan crashed.

The incident occurred on the first anniversary of the death of Jules Bianchi, who died nine months after injuries sustained in a collision with a recovery crane during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

“Bizarre, isn’t it? I was really surprised to see that,” said Motopark team boss Timo Rumpfkeil.

“Also, on the team radio channel [to race control] at first Olly Oakes [Hitech GP director] was complaining about it, then Prema were confirming they were also unhappy about it.

“I think it was quite dangerous, because at the end of the day it’s so easy to drop a wheel, and you don’t ever want to imagine what happens if someone hits the crane.

“To race with the crane on the bloody circuit, it’s clearly not the perfect solution.”