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Both the drivers died doing something they loved and had dedicated their lives too and there is a huge global following of the sport too but does this justify putting lives at risk? The drivers died in high speed collisions during races; yes, the events were accidental and yes, they are not frequent occurrences, but why do we put ourselves in these dangerous situations?
For the excitement and enjoyment, dare-devils might answer. True, motor racing is thrilling and attracts many passionate followers, but is death really worth this? Health and safety has been vastly improved in the sport over the last decade, but clearly not enough to prevent tragic events such as these. So should sports with such a high risk still be conducted?
Michael Schumacher certainly thinks so. After expressing his grief over the deaths of Wheldon and Simoncelli, he added that it is impossible to have perfect safety in any part of life and so high risk sports should go ahead as planned. I wonder if Wheldon’s and Simoncelli’s families agree.
In 2010 Georgian luge competitor Nodar Kumaritashvili died at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver; again, he died doing something he loved but was fully aware of the risks involved in the sport. If sports stars were given the choice of sticking to their dangerous sport or giving up, there is no doubt they would continue. Whilst each individual has the right to choose what risks they want to take, how can society accommodate sports that carry such danger? Is flirting with life and death what we want to see our sports stars doing?
Less tragic but still just as dangerous are sports like football and rugby; numerous careers have been ended due to horrific injuries and yet the stars turn up on the pitch each week, prepared to do something they love. Petr Cech recovered from a fractured skull to maintain his place in Chelsea’s goal; such a potentially life changing event has a happy ending for the Czech but perhaps next time someone won’t be so lucky.
Danger and tragedies will never be eradicated from sports, with freak accidents inescapable, but if sports stars turn up each week to practise and play the sports they love, who are we to question or judge their decisions and risks? But, despite all the health and safety regulations in position in all sports, I am sure there are still guilty consciences, fingers pointed and questions asked when something which should be fun and enjoyable ends in the loss of life.
"I wonder if Wheldon’s and Simoncelli’s families agree."
I don't know about Simoncelli's family, but after reading all that Dan Wheldon's family has said about him, I don't think they would've wanted him to do anything else other than race.
I've followed motorsport all my life, and fortunately have never witnessed the death of a driver 'live', either in person or on TV, even if sometimes it looked as if that would be the result.
Motorsport is dangerous: that's what it says on any ticket you get for a motor race. But compared to much of everyday life, it is incredibly safe. Every effort is made to continually improve safety, and most circuits have medical facilities that would put some hospitals to shame.
All racing drivers know the risks that they face - serious injury or death if something goes wrong. They also know that the risks fall on them, not spectators. I believe that as long as spectators are never put in danger, then competitors should have the right to choose what they take part in.
Finally I would say that in both IndyCar and MotoGP, there are no guilty consciences or finger pointing amongst those who love the sport and have real affection for those competitors who go out on the track to race and entertain every week. Very, very little if anything could've been done to prevent the tragic loss of Dan Wheldon or Simoncelli, and while the motorsport community will continue to seek better safety and reduce the risks in the future, risk is part of life and should be accepted at that.
Thanks for the interesting article.
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