Formula 1
Australian GP inquest summary
The Australian Grand Prix has been given the go ahead for 2002, according to our Australia sources, after the conclusion of the inquest into the death of marshal Graham Beveridge. The results are to be released in January. Yesterday Jim Kennan - ...
Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The Australian Grand Prix has been given the go ahead for 2002, according to our Australia sources, after the conclusion of the inquest into the death of marshal Graham Beveridge. The results are to be released in January.
Yesterday Jim Kennan - the QC who is legal council to the coroner - summed up their side of the case by describing the passing of responsibility for safety at the race track as a "perfect circle." Kennan said that the ultimate responsibility should rest with Australian Grand Prix Corporation, who are the race organisers, but they relied on the Confederation of Australian Motorsport ( CAMS, the national sports body ) for safety directions. CAMS in turn relied on directions from the FIA, of which it is a member, but the FIA sees safety as the responsibility of the local organisers; the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.
Kennan pointed out that local officials had shown scant knowledge of safety issues that they should have been familiar with before the incident on March 4th this year, especially as that part of the track is known for accidents. In 1996 when Martin Brundle crashed, the organisers said the incident showed the fencing was adequate rather than have it raise questions about racing safety.
Kennan noted that the organisers had agreed to double the height of fences in large areas of the track so that the 2002 race could take place. He also called for additional steps to be taken, including moving spectators further away from the track.
Today the inquest examined the events surrounding Beveridge's death. After a collision with Ralf Schumacher a loose wheel from Jacques Villeneuve's car went through a gap in the safety fence and struck the marshal on the chest. The Australian Grand Prix Corporation requested clarification from the coroner who said he did not expect his recommendations to cause extra problems for the organisers as they prepared for next year's race, scheduled for March 3rd.
In summing up the legal counsel for the Australian Grand Prix Corporation said the organisers would consider independent advice on issues such as the height of fences and whether spectators should be moved further away from the track at the corner where the accident occurred. The organisers avoided accepting complete responsibility for track safety, saying they will continue to ask for advice from the FIA.
Despite the GP being given the green light, the FIA has not seen the report from the coroner's office. The FIA has yet to give the event the official clearance it needs to take place.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Ferrari FIA Gala in Monaco
Next article CHAMPCAR/CART: Zanardi wants to return to CART
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Ralf Schumacher
Ralf Schumacher pays tribute to brother Michael and his lasting Ferrari F1 legacy
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
Ralf Schumacher pays tribute to brother Michael and his lasting Ferrari F1 legacy
Ralf Schumacher requires surgery after jet ski crash
Formula 1
Formula 1
Ralf Schumacher requires surgery after jet ski crash
Ralf Schumacher takes aim at Ferrari after Lewis Hamilton Hungarian GP disappointment
Formula 1
Formula 1
Hungarian GP
Ralf Schumacher takes aim at Ferrari after Lewis Hamilton Hungarian GP disappointment
Latest news
Fred Vasseur "not sure" if Red Bull is currently F1's best team
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
29 min
Fred Vasseur "not sure" if Red Bull is currently F1's best team
WSJ Report: NASCAR is building 80+ race cars for Days of Thunder sequel
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 1 h
WSJ Report: NASCAR is building 80+ race cars for Days of Thunder sequel
Brennan Poole to leave Alpha Prime Racing; team owners 'disappointed' to see him go
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Charlotte II
12 h
Brennan Poole to leave Alpha Prime Racing; team owners 'disappointed' to see him go
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
13 h
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe