Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz pointed out that the people who entered on the Silverstone track in a protest last weekend could have been “killed” by causing a serious accident.
The 2022 Formula 1 British Grand Prix was marked by a terrible crash suffered by Zhou Guanyu, with the Alfa Romeo driver being lucky to have walked away without any injures after his car was flipped upside down, flew over a tyre barrier and hit a catch fence. The accident of course was immediately followed by a Safety car period and it proved to be a good moment given the fact seven protestors had just made their way onto the circuit.
The marshals reacted to try to avoid any major incident, by getting the protestors out while also warning the drivers of the danger on track. Carlos Sainz was one of the first to driver past them and he immediately informed the team about was was going on: “Ah what are these guys doing! These spectators coming on the track. There was some spectators coming on the track before Turn Six.” – Carlos Sainz on the team radio.
The protestors were arrested, the race restarted and Carlos Sainz went on to win the race, taking his maiden Formula 1 victory. Yet the Ferrari driver is aware that it was a day that could have ended much worse: ““I think people have the opportunity to speak out and demonstrate wherever they want because that’s a right. I just don’t think it’s the best way to jump onto a Formula 1 track and put yourself and every other driver in danger.” – the Spanish driver said.
The protestors were from ‘Just Stop Oil’, a group that describes itself as ‘a coalition of groups working together to ensure the Government commits to halting new fossil fuel licensing and production’.
However, according to Carlos Sainz, the sport is already involved in helping with this matter and is doing its part for greener engines for the future:
“I think Formula 1 is already doing a great job trying to become carbon neutral by 2030,” he continued. “We are pushing this area and pushing Formula 1 and the FIA to find ways in that direction. I just don’t think jumping onto a Formula 1 track is the right way to draw attention and protest. You have to be a little more careful because you could get killed or cause an accident.” – he continued.
The sentiments expressed by Carlos Sainz were echoed by former Formula 1 driver and current Sky F1 expert Karun Chandhok: “If they had actually done any research, they would realise that F1 engines are the greenest on the planet and are setting the standard for the road car industry. Plus, with the research funding for fossil free fuels, we’re actually leading the solution, not the problem!” – he concluded.
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