Jean Todt likens the killings Paris to Road Car Accidents

  • Published on 15 Nov 2015 14:24
  • comments 0
  • By: Harry Shovelar

French President of the FIA has made a gaff that many believe to be insensitive after Friday evening saw around 120 people killed to what was an unprovoked attack on the Capital of France.

Originally Formula One World was going to hold a minute silence before the Brazilian Race in respect for all of the road car related accidents. But due to the events that unfolded in Paris, plans have changed so that the minute silence is in a mark for the those killed in Paris.

In comes an unhappy French President Jean Todt, who has recently got a bit punchy with a few issues of late, one being a the idea of Cheaper Alternative Engine for 2017. And now the changing of the minutes silence, describing the terrorist attacks on his hometown to Canel+ as something which could happen anywhere and that the FIA should not be linked with it.

“Do you realise that the number of people killed in road accidents is by far bigger than the number of people who died in Paris,”

We had already planned to do something at the occasion of the day of celebrations for road victims," he said. "Every day on our streets, 3,500 people die. Every day there are 30 times more people who die than in the Paris assassinations.

We had decided a minute of silence and of course we can't ignore what happened in Paris. We will thus have a moment of attention for what happened in Paris.

Paris is one of the great capitals of the world and it's not appropriate to link the FIA to this tragic accident. But you can only suffer when you see such a drama and we hope it won't happen again."

Evidently he is not pleased with the change of the minutes silence from Road Car victims to the atrocities in Paris. The immediate shift was sparked by F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone who released the following statement:

"Because of the horrific terrorist attacks of 13 November in Paris, the ceremony to pay tribute to the casualties of road traffic accidents scheduled for the Brazilian Grand Prix within the framework of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims has been modified.

The drivers' parade lap will see all competitors wearing a black armband as a sign of mourning and tribute to the victims of the Paris tragedy and as a gesture of solidarity with their families and loved ones.

Written by  Harry Shovelar

 

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar