Last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix in Spa was one of the most entertaining races I’ve watched and it got me thinking. Formula 1 racing is one of the most dangerous sports in the world – or is it?  

May 13th is the day my Mum was born but it is also the day in 1960 when the first Formula One race took place. It was all about speed and excitement, thrills and spills. There were many accidents and little consideration for driver safety with no helmets, no medical back-up or safety measures.  

From the early 60′s when the sport became really popular, safety started to be a feature. Engine sizes were reduced, flag signals came in and drivers had to wear helmets. Since then, there has been a steady progression towards safer cars, safer tracks and safer procedures. Millions of fans worldwide remain passionate about their driver heros and constructors.  I always thought Graham Hill was very debonair! 

So F1 is still one of the most dangerous sports in the world but we rarely see deaths or life threatening injuries such as the accident in which Nikki Lauda nearly lost his life, despite seeing spectacular crashes that drivers often now walk away from. Could this be because of the implementation of the much quoted phrase, as far as is reasonably practicable, a key phrase in modern Healthy and Safety? 

Michael Schumacher tests a new helmet and the new Mercedes F1 car

The obvious risks in the sport are avoided or reduced through the use of the hierachy of control! Technological advances have increased car safety, tyre safety and personal protective equipment. Cars are set up for specific drivers. Track safety is increased with better surfaces, crash barriers, marshals, medical backup and safety cars. There are rules and regulations and safe systems of work and above all, everyone is highly trained and competent to do their jobs. Some people argue that the excitement has been taken out of the sport because of all this but for me, it is still there and the drivers get to go home! 

So this most exciting of sports hasn’t been banned because no one was willing to work out how to do it safely. It is possible to keep that sence of danger that we all enjoy watching. Ok they have a lot of money to spend on ensuring safety is paramount but they thought it was worth spending it! It would be great if more people took that approach instead of acting like the fun police! As my MD says, ‘You can do anything you like as long as you do it safely’ 

Sian MacGowan PhD, MIIRSM 

Business Development Director