Baku pitlane hazard 'like a scene from Group B rallying'
Alpine sporting director Alan Permane compared Esteban Ocon's entry into Baku's crowded pitlane at the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to the perils of Group B rallying in the 1980s.
Ocon barreled into the pitlane on the final lap of the race to undertake his mandatory second tyre change, only to discover a group of media folk and FIA personnel gathered in the fast lane and setting up a barrier directly in the Alpine's path.
Fortunately, the group was able to rapidly disperse and no drama ensued while Ocon slowed.
It is not infrequent for personnel and photographers to gather in the pit lane on the final lap to prepare for post-race celebrations, as late pit stops seldom occur.
But a similar situation also befell Alex Albon in Melbourne last month, and Permane shared Ocon's anguished reaction to the near miss.
"I don't understand why we are starting to prepare the podium and the ceremony when we are still racing, there is one lap to go and there are still people who didn't pit," said the Alpine driver after the race.
"Arriving at 300 km/h, braking very late and I see the barriers and the people all around. This is crazy, it could have been a big, big one today."
"It’s something we’ve seen before," commented Permane. "There’s a keenness, I don’t know why the photographers are allowed there, but of course I understand people want to get the shots of the cars coming into parc ferme and things like that.
"But the pitlane is still open and the racetrack is still live. I don’t think it’s rocket science to think that, I think it’d be quite a simple one."
After reviewing the incident and hearing from its own parc fermé personnel after the race, the FIA promised that "immediate steps" would be taken to ensure that such a dangerous situation is not repeated.
Permane said that Ocon's limited pitlane speed and his ability to stop his car on a dime minimized the risk of a dramatic mishap, but the hazard was still unnecessary.
"Esteban’s doing 80kph so he can stop the car pretty quickly if he needs to," said the Alpine sporting boss.
"So, whilst it was quite scary to look at, I’m sure he was in full control, and no one was in serious danger.
"But it was a bit like a scene from Group B rallying days, wasn’t it? With the crowds on the track and parting as he got there?
"The biggest problem is if some weren’t watching. But he’s not moving very quickly at that point."
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