Motorsport’s exemplary safety standards were once again put to the ultimate test at the Rome E-Prix, showcasing the incredible precautions taken to protect drivers in the highest level of racing. The incident occurred when a massive pile-up left carbon scattered across the road, causing chaos on the circuit.
During the race, Jaguar driver Sam Bird found himself in fourth place on lap nine at the Circuito Cittadino dell’EUR. However, as his car encountered a bump on the track, it became unsettled, leading to a loss of control. This resulted in Bird spinning and hitting the wall before coming to a halt in the middle of the narrow street circuit.
Unfortunately, due to poor visibility, former Formula 1 driver Sebastien Buemi, who was unaware of the unfolding events, clipped the rear of Bird’s car. Subsequently, several other drivers, including Antonio Felix Da Costa, became entangled in the crash.
The race was immediately red-flagged, but not before Edoardo Mortara crashed into the side of Bird’s car. While some drivers managed to navigate their way through the chaos, others were not as fortunate.
Buemi, expressing his frustration on the radio to his team, questioned the string of misfortune, stating, “When is this luck going to change? What is happening?” He also criticized the circuit, calling for improvements. Buemi believed that the incident was bound to occur sooner or later, having previously raised concerns about the track’s safety. He highlighted the lack of communication regarding the crash, as no radio message or yellow flags alerted him to the danger. According to Buemi, even a slight driver error can have severe consequences when there is minimal space for avoidance.
Lucas di Grassi, another former Formula 1 driver, shared Buemi’s concerns, particularly regarding the dangerous corner where the crash took place. Di Grassi expressed gratitude for the safety requirements implemented by the FIA and Formula E, both for the cars and the track. However, he argued that the specific corner involved in the incident was one of the most hazardous on the track. The blind and fast nature of the corner, combined with the limited space to maneuver, made it challenging to assess whether the track was entirely blocked.
Sam Bird, who initiated the unfortunate chain reaction, explained that the corner was filled with numerous bumps and raised drains. He attributed his crash to hitting a raised drain at an unfavorable angle, resulting in his collision with the wall. Bird emphasized the need for adjustments to the drains and a smoother surface in that section, as the current conditions posed a significant risk. While acknowledging that most drivers could navigate the corner successfully, Bird stressed that one small error, even one that is not entirely the driver’s fault, could have devastating consequences. He called for a complete overhaul of the area, ensuring a smoother and safer surface for future races.
After the necessary safety precautions were taken, the race resumed, and New Zealand’s Mitch Evans emerged as the winner, followed by compatriot Nick Cassidy. The second-place finish propelled Cassidy to the top of the series points standings, overtaking Jake Dennis from the United Kingdom.
The FIA Formula E World Championship will continue with the second Rome E-Prix, which can be streamed exclusively on Stan Sport at 10:30 pm on Sunday. To stay updated with the latest breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
