Drivers not happy with the safety situation
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Monday August 31, 1998

Start at Spa Several drivers and team manager have their doubts about the decisions made and especially not made to ensure the safety during the last Grand Prix. Damon Hill was one of the drivers. He stated: "Literally, visibility is zero. You drive along at 200 kph and more just hoping there is nothing there (...) it is something which is a serious concern to me and, obviously, after all that has happened there has to be something done."

David Richards of Benetton said: "You have to question the safety issues in this race. Most of the incidents were cars running into the back of each other because they just were not visible through the spray. With the damage we have suffered, and the accidents both of our drivers were involved in, I am just thankful nobody was hurt. If there is one good thing to come out of it -- it was seeing Eddie Jordan's face as his cars crossed the finish line."

Alexander Wurz stated: "The race should have been started behind the safety car -- the first crash was really scary and it was a huge relief that no-one was hurt."

"You couldn't see anything at all -- we were racing blind and that is why I destroyed my car when I crashed into Nakano. The visibility was really zero," Giancarlo Fisichella said.

The most talk is however about the incident between Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard. Schumacher hit Coulthard in the rear when he tried to pass him. Schumacher was left with only three wheels and was out of the race. Schumacher then accused Coulthard of trying to kill him.

Mercedes sport boss Norbert Haug said today that Schumacher needs to apologise for his reaction. Angry Ferrari fans were throwing beer cans at Coulthard, when he rejoined the race. Haug said: "A Schumacher apology would calm things down. The situation could degenerate at Monza and we must avoid that."

"We want to preserve our good relations with Schumacher. None of us here are bitter and our hand is held out to him," Haug added.


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