| Readers' Comments | |
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| Updated: 10 April 1997 | Brazilian Issue |
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In the latest issue of Autosport Magazine, Mika Hakkinen gave his theory
on what happened to Senna. He says he thinks Senna accidently hit the
steering wheels with his knees (maybe after hitting a bump) and the
steering wheel came off! He says he had a similar problem once in a f1
car. This would explain Senna looking down just before the
crash....maybe something to think about?
Secondly...to Rich DeYoung. The race was stopped the first time because of Barricello stalling on the grid and not because of the spinners at the first corner. Barrichello's car was stuck in gear and could not be pushed away and that is why the first red flag came out. The car was on the racing line on the fastest part of the track and all the other cars would have come down that straight reasonably bunched up because the race has just started....surely a disaster waiting to happen? The race was not red flagged after the second start because the car that stalled was not stuck in gear and could easily be pushed away by the marshalls. It had nothing to do with Villeneuve going off on the first corner.
Andries Kotze
Dear AtlasF1: I just spent a few minutes reading the comments regarding the Senna death and I want to make a point regarding the "unconsious Senna theroy". what kind of conclusion is this based on a few seconds of video?? I've seen races (CART and NASCAR) where there is telemetry sent from the driver showing heartbeat, etc .. mabye if that was availible, we'd have an idea. It's hard from a few seconds of video. Also, note Imola was a bumpy circuit... who knows what accounts for the movement. Lately in all the top levels of motorsport there have been fatalities (Ratzenberger and Senna in F1, Krosnoff in CART, Neil Bonnett in NASCAR, etc. ) and I have been able to follow most of the investigations (with the exeption of Ratzenberger's which seemed to be concluded before the car was peeled off the wall). In most situations, except Senna, the investigations were kept relatively quiet, as should be the case. The cars that participate in these contests of speed are prototype machines and have built upon factors of risk. If an engineer did something extremely stupid and caused an accident, he should be found accountable. Having a part break on the car is part of the game. Suspensions fail and engines blow on a regualr basis in the top levels of motorsport. The difference in the Senna case is that the accident was fatal. Schumacher said it best when he said we should learn from this... and F1 has. After all the knee-jerk reactions of 1994 were taken care of, the results are generally good with regards to circuit safety. Really dangerous spots like Tamburello are now safer. The real tragedy is we had to see a great man die before people opened their eyes.
Cecil King
I really like your Formula One site, it's the best but... I think it's a shame that you still endorse the PERFECT GRAND PRIX product. Everyone should know by now that it's not a good product and that everything on the CD (and much more) can be downloaded for free from many sites on the Internet You've got a VERY HIGH QUALITY PAGE, don't waste your pages on a RIP-OFF like PGP!!
Karl Zosel The reason Atlas F1 endorse Perfect Grand Prix is that several members of Atlas F1 we involved with production of the add-on pack. PGP was Instant Access' first attempt in creating software for GP2 fans that do not have access to the Internet. You are not the first person to state PGP is a "rip-off". PC GAMER, a UK gaming magazine, stated the following:
The whole point of Perfect Grand Prix was to enable GP2 fans, without Internet access, to obtain the add-ons that were the labor of love for 15 very talented individuals. And, it was Instant Access and Atlas F1 who saw that these individuals received reward for their efforts. We do not see this as a crime nor a rip-off. There are aspects of PGP, like cockpits, not available on the Internet. Also, most of the instructions have been translated into 4 different languages. We've been informed that PGP has sold over 100,000 copies without a return or complaint from any of the retail stores. We are proud of our association with PGP, Instant Access and the authors who work hard in improving GP2 game-play for all of us. Atlas F1
Hi, I read your comments on the Atlas F1 web site, and I thought I would make a few comments. I don't know if you read the Sunday Times (UK) article on it a few weeks ago, but it brought a few new ideas into play. Since the crash happened right at the start of the race (the first flying lap after the restart), we can rule out exhaustion, but I agree that the most likely event is Senna losing consciousness. I've read that Senna used to hold his breath for the first lap to aid concentration, but I doubt if this would have caused him to black out, it's more likely that something else happened. Since the cars were down on tyre pressure (as a result of following the safety car), it may be that the car hit the bumps harder than usual. Indeed the Williams engineers pointed out that the titanium bump plate had been knocked up into the car by a vertical impact (as opposed to the lateral one caused by the wall). Maybe he was temporarily knocked out by this impact, and then the car just went straight with no braking or steering until it hit the wall. Looking at the video, it seems that all the telemetry traces tail off at the point where the car stops turning, and this would be consistent with this theory - if only we knew what the traces were. The attitude of Sennas helmet also seems to support his theory. One last point on the car going straight into the wall. Even if the car had lost steering, it would have been possible to spin it. I remember when Schumacher first tested the Ferrari, he lost steering on a fast corner, but used a combination of brakes and throttle to spin the car round and hit the wall tail first. Surely this wouldn't have been beyond Senna, assuming he was conscious. So yes, my guess is the same as yours. he lost consciousness, but I think it was the car bottoming out too hard which caused the accident. Thanks for the article,
Nigel Baker
I found it slightly fishy that there was not a second restart because a car had stalled on the grid. If the accidents in turn 1 was enough to red flag the race (easily reminded by a yellow flag on that corner), wouldn't a stalled car on the grid (on the racing line) be enough to call for a second red flag? It almost seemed to stink of politics. The World Championship favorite had pulled a foolish move (trying to get Schumacher to give up the racing line) and went off the track on the marbles. There was also an accident in mid pack, but this is becoming normal for a F1 start. All but one car involved in the accident went off the track, and that one could have been pulled clear before the field came back again. Back on the subject of Villeneuve (sp.), it seemed strange that on the first start when the race favorite went off, it mattered greatly, but when a backmarker stalled on the grid, it wasn't really something to worry about.
Rich DeYoung
I was very pleased to see your comments in today’s Atlas. About a week after that tragic day, my friend and myself concluded, after watching the video of the accident several times, that your comments are true. Senna could not have been conscious at the time of the accident. We are both racers (my friend & I), but you need not be one to know when you step over that line, you never give up. Usually you do something, instinctively. As you stated it was obvious the car just left the track and crashed into the wall with no change of direction. If the steering went out, you would hit the brake. If the brake went out you try something with the steering. What are the chances of both steering and brake failure.... in a Williams? I don't think so. The last convincing piece came via Autosport Magazine when they published what was believed to be the last picture from his onboard camera. It clearly showed his head bowed down. They surmised that he might have been looking down in the cockpit. At that speed? Its stupid to even suggest.... I fail to understand why no magazine ever suggested this(our) idea. Almost as if it was taboo to do so. Anyway just to let you know... idea is shared. I never did down load that video. I think I will check it out.
Marc Evans
I hear that Pacific could be coming back to F1 sometime soon. I guess they have signed a deal with the Malaysian company called Petra. The new name is Petra Pacific with Keith Wiggins as acting managin director with Vinod Sekhar, the boss of Petra, the chairman. Also John Byfield who was part of the consortium that purchased Leyton House Racing and ran it as March F1 is also involved to help serve as a chief executive. Pacific of course is currently in Formula 3000 and is developing a BRM car for the 24 Hours of LeMans. Good news. Maybe they can join in 98 or 99. Same for the Dome project. That would be good news. I hope Lotus can get back into it. I hope Lola can join in next season. I guess it was a good move to leave when they did and not get a lot of debts like Forti. To me it looks like Mecachrome could serve a couple teams with Williams purchasing the engine along with maybe Benetton and or Jordan. Benetton could get Mugen Honda if Prost gets Peugeot, which I feel they will. I think Tyrrell may get the Mugen Honda, maybe just under the Honda. This would be good financially for Tyrrell. Tyrrell has extensive Japanese ties now days with sponsors and Satoru Nakajima and Taronsuke Takagi. That would be good news. Get the Ford V8 out. The Ford V10 is just dandy though. Heinz-Harald Frentzen did poorly last week. Why? I refuse to believe he isn't good and that I feel it must have been the car. We'll see what he does in Argentina. Minardi still has some minor problems. Tyrrell is unfortunate with the Ford V8. They have a good chassis for sure. Jan Magnussen is not impressing me at all right now. I feel for Ricardo Rosset and Sopsiri. Sounds like Nakano is just at Prost to keep Mugen Honda happy. Diniz is impressing me some. He does have some talent after all. I think Benetton is a pretty good team and that they are improving some more every race. Berger and Alesi should get a win each. Panis and Hill are now also possible winners. Both have the enduring Bridgestones, and they are good enough to win. No other Bridgestone driver has a chance. I have no clue what Katayama can do with a decent car. Darn failures.
Kevin Wey
This comment is in response to Paul Rushworth's column (I believe that all US fans of F1 should read it!). Boy, are we lucky! We have so many types of motorsports entertainment available to us. It's too bad that we seem unable to lure the international fraternity of F1 to our shores lately (Las Vegas? Give me a break!). I sure am glad that CART seems to be expanding the number of *road* courses on their tour. I'll probably catch some flack from some here when I say that oval-track racing (on asphalt) is BOOOORing!! How I love to see the races held at Road America or Laguna Seca. Challenging enough for the best in the field and pretty for the cameras too! I implore the corporate entities here in the US to indulge fervent F1 fans such as myself (and B.E. too, despite his thorny nature) to bring this spectacle to the US. It couldn't possibly present a serious threat to CARTs or NASCARs market share (it would only be one race per season) and it would quiet the barbs from abroad that American race fans aren't "sophisticated" enough to appreciate F1 racing (Poppycock!). I further propose that someone here build an F1 team to represent America in the field (Mr. Gates, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Turner; Are you listening?). Personally, I would be willing to spend big bucks to attend an F1 race at Laguna Seca (I live in Silicon Valley). The US has been host for the World Cup and the Olympics, we produce the hottest technology in the world, we maintain the largest market for motorsports in the world. What gives, people?
Randall Guyton
I feel Chris Becker's comments on the Senna accident are off base from the following:
The answer to these mysteries is that the steering broke and Senna let off the gas. That caused several thing to occur. First, as the steering broke the resistance to his turning force was relieved and his entire upper body, including his head, moved forward to the left, which is where the camera was located. Second, he instantly backed off the throttle, which appeared to the camera in the following car to be a puff of smoke from the engine. Third, since he was cornering hard to the left at the time, any touch on the brakes would have turned the car further to the right. I have no idea if it did or did not, since it comes into view of the fixed camera headed straight for the wall. This whole thing isn't really that big a mystery:
Senna was driving a race car. He was a great driver, possibly a nice person, and we miss him.
Bill Fishburne
Hello Atlas F1, Thank You for the Great web-site. I have been following the F1 racing for many years courtesy of Eurosport - supposedly the largest satellite sport channel in Europe (many million viewers). The outstanding commentary has been provided by no one less but John Watson. And I can't stress enough how pleasurable an experience it's been. Alas, contrary to the promises aired at the end of 1996 season, Eurosport and F1 (read: Bernie Ecclestone) parted company in 1997, for reasons unknown (read: money?) to me. No explanation has been given. How can it be then, that such an important source of revenue, as broadcasted F1 GP-races, wasn't important enough for Eurosport to secure the broadcasting rights? Other (smaller) TV channels in Europe - RTL and ITV carry on broadcasting F1. Eurosport is nearly invisible on Internet, so I e-mailed my question to TF1. No reply. Needless to say I greatly miss watching F1. I think I speak for a large numbers of Eurosport F1 fans. Perhaps Atlas F1 with your resources could shed some light over the issue.
Best Regards,
The 1997 season is under way and I have already noticed some disturbing occurrences. I am concerned at the recent rumours that Alesi's position at Benetton is under threat. Every second person is saying that his performances at Benetton have not been up to par. This may or may not be true. Just how does one define a creditable level of performance? There are of course a number of answers to this question. Surely, the first step in assessing a particular driver's achievements is to compare him with his teammate. In his 17 races with the Benetton team, Alesi has out qualified Gerhard Berger 14 times. In the championship standings last year, he scored more points. Now according to popular opinion, Berger is a reasonably good driver and some would say that on his day he is exceptionally good. That being the case, where does that place Alesi? You would think in an at least favourable position. Unfortunately, this is not the case and seems to be becoming increasingly less so. I believe the problem lies in the expectation the motor racing community has in Alesi and the hopes they have in him. The pressure on Alesi to perform appears to be greater than on almost any other driver. I feel this is the case for a number of reasons. The primary reason is what we, the F1 watchers, have seen Alesi do in the past. Alesi has done some brilliant things in a Formula One car, there is no question about that. Witness his spectacular drives in the wet at the Nurburgring and Suzuka in 1995 or when as a relative newcomer he overtook Senna in the 1990 US GP, in the Tyrrell, only to be retaken and eventually finish second. These were indeed memorable moments which are unfortunately all too rare these days in Formula 1. As we sat in awe of these events, we were excited at the prospect of seeing a new star being being born. The fact is, that apart from Schumacher, no other driver has put in such spectacular performances in recent years. The trouble is, from Alesi's point of view, these efforts have been too few and far between. After seeing what this man was capable of the fans wanted more. There is no question that it is difficult to make your mark in F1, and seeing that Alesi made his mark so long ago, it is disappointing that a person with such raw talent that should have been World Champion by now, is not. People are frustrated with him and so it is only natural that they are angry when he makes a mistake (see the Australian GP). There is little use dwelling on the past and on what could have been had things gone Alesi's way. I am sure that with a bit of luck, this year, Alesi will finally realise his true potential and up where for so long he's been destined... the top step of the podium. Daniel Mark Repaci
I am certain that nearly everyone that reads the pages of your website would be relieved to know the real cause of racing legend Ayrton Senna's death. There have been many suggestions put forward in the press and in the trial. If you don't mind I would like to put forward some of my own judgments. I have watched the video that you have made available for download over a hundred times. It is obvious that there is some sort of vibration just at the moment the car starts to straighten up in the turn. This is accompanied by Ayrton's (No disrespect to the legendary Ayrton Senna is intended) head appearing in the right of the in-car picture. It is also apparent that Ayrton's head moves forward and rolls in a circular motion slightly just before the in-car footage ceases. To me, it is obvious that no steering correction has been made at the front wheels. The fixed camera shot shows this. Even when the car hits the grass there is no oversteer and anyone that has driven a slick shod car at speed onto grass and tried to turn a corner would know how difficult this is to do even at low speeds. So far, we cannot tell if the lack of correction is due to no steering input from the driver, or a broken steering component. It is unfortunate that we cannot see Ayrton's steering wheel or hands on the in-car shot as I believe that this would solve the puzzle. At this stage it is obvious that Ayrton should be hard on the brakes and trying to steer the car away from the impending wall. The fixed camera shows that the car drives straight off the track without locking a wheel. Also, from my experience, the last thing that a race driver would do is to tilt the head forward when pushing on the brake pedal. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that the in-car footage from the car following Ayrton shows an exhaust backfire. This would seem to indicate that the throttle has been backed off which is very logical. So to recap, Ayrton's head appears to move forward and roll around ever so slightly and the car drives straight off the track without (it seems from this footage) any evidence of evasive action being taken. How can we explain this? Well, there are only two theories that I can think of that seem to suit. 1. A freak failure caused both the steering and braking systems to fail at the same split second. I find this hard to believe. Maybe a broken steering component could have jammed the brake pedal? How do we explain Ayrton's head moving forward if he was pushing as hard as he could on the brake pedal? 2. Ayrton was not conscious when the car steered off the track. Ayrton's head tilting forward would be explained by this and so would the lack of evasive action. This is not type of story that I would like to hear for such a great legend, but I cannot see any other way to explain the events. There have been occasions when Ayrton was almost unable to stand up when he climbed out of his car. I cannot recall what lap it was when the accident happened or what the temperature was on the day so I cannot comment any further here. I would be interested to find these things out. Anyway, I hope I haven't bored/offended anyone by this. It is just something that I felt had to be said before the jury decides it was; a piece of paper on the track (yeh, right!) as some Newspapers have been saying or; a broken tie rod as I have heard suggested (front wheel suddenly splaying out at full lock? I don't think so). A broken steering column, maybe, but how do you explain the lack of braking and Ayrton's head movements? Incidentally, does anybody know what the graphs are in the video. I would appreciate someone telling me this, particularly if they tell you anything about the steering wheel angle, axial G-force, throttle position or wheel speed. These could also give some excellent clues. It would also be very informative to see if Ayrton's head moves excessively as he goes onto the grass.
Chris Becker.
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