Safety fears resurface at Grand Prix MyZA

Sebastian Vettel won the German Grand Prix, but his Formula One win was soured when a cameraman was struck by a loose wheel.

World champion Sebastian Vettel won a close German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring circuit. Photo: Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters

Seven days after a succession of dangerous blowouts at Silverstone left the drivers threatening a boycott of the race at the Nürburgring, the sport experienced another serious incident.

The Briton Paul Allen, who works for Bernie Ecclestone’s Formula One Management company, was hit in the back by a careering wheel that passed through four teams in the pit lane, forcing mechanics to dive out of the way.

The right rear wheel had ripped loose and bounced up after being incorrectly fitted to Mark Webber’s Red Bull at his first pit stop after eight laps.

Allen was bowled over hit his head on the tarmac. Mechanics rushed to his aid and, still conscious, he was taken on a stretcher to the medical centre before being transferred by helicopter to Koblenz hospital 40 miles away.

Allen suffered two broken ribs, a broken collarbone, concussion and bruising. It is understood he was being kept in hospital for observation.

McLaren’s team principal, Martin Whitmarsh, said: “The wheel came bouncing through our pit area, it was pretty scary. Those of us who were around 25 years ago without speed limits could smell the inherent danger.

“We have become a little bit complacent. I have to say he is going to be sore because the wheel came past at a huge rate and I saw it hit him in the back. They are bloody heavy. At that speed you’d have known all about it.” – The Guardian