F1 "safety has been in the headlines since multiple tyre blow-outs at last weekend's British Grand Prix raised fears about drivers being hit by flying debris, and Sunday's incident will fuel concern about pitlane dangers," according to the PA.
While teams' pit crew "routinely wear protective headgear, many others working in the pitlane during the race do not." Red Bull driver Mark
Webber came into the pits for a routine tire change after nine laps but "his crew took longer than usual because of a problem" with the rear right tire. The Australian "was released without the wheel being secured properly." It "broke free and bounced into the oblivious cameraman, knocking him flat on his back." Later in the race Jules Bianchi's car momentarily caught fire and rolled toward traffic after the driver had got out while Paul Di Resta almost hit Jean-Eric Vergne in the pits (PA, 7/7). The London TELEGRAPH reported the cameraman, Paul Allen, "is understood to have suffered no serious injuries, although he is currently in Koblenz hospital under observation." An FIA statement read, "Paul Allen was hit on the left hand side. Remaining conscious, he was treated at the circuit medical centre and then transported by helicopter to Koblenz Hospital" (TELEGRAPH, 7/7). BBC radio reported "he had some chest pain and concussion" (REUTERS, 7/7).
