Few people may remember the Brazilian Luciano Porte, he is now a 46-year-old ex-pilot He participated in only 15 Formula 1 races, Namely, in 2000 and 2001, in the colors of the Jaguar and Prost stables.
Your career is one Make a huge event unforgettable At the Belgian Grand Prix 20 years ago. For his anniversary, he was contacted by Motorsport.com to get his opinion on an ever-evolving topic, the safety of Spa-Francorchamps.
Porte wrestled Jaguar driver Eddie Irvine as Prost’s driver in 2001 when the two cars collided and his Brazilian’s front wing got stuck under the front wheels. message like that In a straight line, without braking, at a speed of 300 km / h It’s rough in the rubber wall at the Blanchemon Curve.
Everyone feared the worst, as the rubber wall regularly buried the blue race car under it. The pilot lost consciousness, but – miraculously – He survived facial injuries and a concussion the case.
However, the Belgian asphalt sector The most dangerous point is still considered the Eau Rouge bend combination. Antoine Hubert was killed there two years ago in a Formula 1 race, and a few weeks ago Jack Aitken was also involved in a huge (but lucky) car crash on top of his infamous climb.
“Of course you can stop racing at the spa. But I don’t want it to be only Formula 1 in Abu Dhabi or Paul Ricard, where you can push at full speed and nothing happens. Probably the opinion of many spectators, “Risk is part of the sport,” said Porte. There is no way you can break maximum safety above 200 km/h.”
The controversy over the Belgian track was raised precisely because of the recent events of the Aitken case, the GT World Challenge. However, Formula One racing director Michael Massey announced it not too long ago Spa safety is adequate.
According to Porte, Belgian or even Italian, Monaco and similar difficult paths It belongs to Formula 1 DNA. It’s so beautiful and exciting about them that they get punished right away.
“If you walk along the Eau Rouge, you can see what it looks like. There’s no room for tipping. So you have to decide if you want to go around a new line or dig a tunnel under it. There’s nothing else you can do,” the Brazilian pretzel said. .
