The Guardian

Cockpit device helps prevent serious injury

crash in an F2 race in which Hauger landed on Nissany’s car, the halo once again crucial in preventing serious injury. The main event was won by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, from Sergio Pérez and Lewis Hamilton – and Sainz was full in his praise for the halo.

“The fact he came out of it is crazy,” he said. “I find it incredible that you can come out of it. It just shows, we sometimes criticise the FIA but you have to give it to them how much they have been helping us.

“If you see the crash in F2 and what happened with the halo, today they have saved probably two lives.”

Just as the cars were returning to the pit with the race red-flagged after the accident a protest by the environmentalist group Just Stop Oil took place. Seven protesters gained access to the track and sat down with the cars still circulating before they were removed by the authorities.

When informed of the incident afterwards, Hamilton, who has expressed a commitment to environmental issues, appeared to back them. When told it was by Just Stop Oil, he said: “Big up those guys.”

When asked to make his position clear, Hamilton added: “I didn’t know what the protesters were for, so I only just found out. I just said big up the protesters. I love that people are fighting for the planet. So we need more people like them.”

He later qualified that support via Instagram, posting: “I wasn’t aware of the protests and while I’ll always support those standing up for what they believe in, it must be done safely.

“Please don’t jump on to our race circuits to protest. We don’t want to put you in harm’s way.”

A Mercedes spokesperson then issued a statement clarifying that Hamilton had been unaware of the method of protest the activists had used. “Lewis was endorsing their right to protest but not the method.”

Northampton’s chief Inspector, Tom Thompson, confirmed seven protesters had been detained.

“I’m really disappointed that this group of people ignored our warnings prior to race day and made the incredibly dangerous decision to enter the track,” he said.

Just Stop Oil took responsibility for the actions in a tweet. “A group of supporters of Just Stop Oil have stormed the track at the British Grand Prix,” it read. “If you are more outraged about this disruption than our world being burnt before our eyes, then you need to get your priorities straight.”

Sport

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2022-07-04T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-07-04T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://guardian.pressreader.com/article/282411288016415

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