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INVESTIGATIONS ON THE SAFETY CAR CRASH
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The incident that involved the safety car and Franz Engstler’s BMW on the second lap of Pau’s Race 2 was investigated by the panel of the Stewards.
The investigation ascertained that, although the FIA Race Director had started the safety car procedure alerting the marshals for waving the yellow flags and showing the SC boards, the safety car driver had not been given the go. He left the pit lane on his own, steering in the middle of the track instead of using the acceleration lane.
The data logged by the ECU of Engstler’s BMW showed that he actually slowed down and braked as he saw the yellow flags and SC boards on the main straight. However, the German driver – who was leading the race from the eventual winner Alain Menu – could not avoid the crash when came out of Turn 1 and found the safety car cutting across.
The Stewards, taking into account the gravity of the facts, decided to forward their report to the FFSA (French sporting authority), recommending to take appropriate sanctions against Philippe Cholet and Jean-Pierre Colas who were in charge for the safety car and any other responsible official.
