It was Tuesday, September 11, 2001, and I was packing my suitcase for Monza when the first images of the World Trade Center fire appeared. Was it an accident? An attack? Then came the information about the attempted attack on the Pentagon. Astonished like the rest of the world, I watched as the second plane ripped into New York’s second tower, turning it to dust.
I finished packing my suitcase, grabbed my backpack and equipment case and went to the airport still half numb. There were many unanswered questions, from the important consequences for the world to the implications for my insignificant journey.
Who would be able to do that? Is this the start of a war? Will there be a world when I get there? Will the airports be working? Will my flight be cancelled?
I was only sure. The Italian GP would take place.
Three days later, September 14th, the cars entered the Monza track for the first free practice sessions of the 15th stage of the championship. With the exception of tributes to one team or another _Ferrari removed sponsor marks and painted the nozzles black_, nothing has changed in the routine of the category. The schedule was maintained.
It was the first major sporting event in the world after 9/11. All other major leagues and leagues have stopped. Formula 1, no.
More than feelings of resilience and pride, the decision at the time brought a bit of shame to everyone who was there. Once again, F1 was showing itself to be insensitive, showing itself as something superior.
It was always like this. Empathy. Pointed nose. A world apart.
A pilot died, beheaded on the runway! Get on with the race. But there’s a Cup final on this day! Book a race. There’s a hurricane approaching! Keep racing. The track has serious problems and the drivers are at risk! Run the race. The world will end! And?
In recent decades, the issuer of orders was Ecclestone. But, let’s be fair, it was like that before him too. (Search 1974 US GP or 1975 Spanish GP, for example.)
The region of Emilia-Romagna has been suffering from heavy rain for days. Rivers have burst their banks, nine people have died, hundreds have lost their homes, towns around are flooded.
It is a public calamity. And, in the midst of so much sadness, what remains is the encouragement of seeing a more humane posture from F1. Paddock flooded? Were the accesses complicated? I have no doubt that the previous management would wait for the water to subside and that the cars would take to the track on Friday.
This Thursday, by the way, there are already working conditions there: the teams were authorized to enter the racetrack to dismantle the pits.
Let’s not be naive. In addition to practical issues, there is also a lot of marketing involved in the decision taken by the FIA and Liberty Media, a specialist in the matter.
In any case, for whatever reasons, it is comforting to see that F1 no longer sees itself as a world apart.
At 73 just completed, the category finally lowered its nose.
#age #finally #started #world