Formula One news

Column: Safety first!

We had a pretty exciting race in Japan. The fire we had during my second pit stop was pretty big. My arm and right glove caught fire but my overalls protected me. While it can sometimes feel like you're racing in a sauna because of all the overalls, you can't do without them.

Many people asked me if I had any second thoughts of getting back in the car. I don't have any second thoughts at all. If the team tells me it is safe then it is safe. It was important to continue the race and get a good qualifying slot in China.

After the race we discussed the pit stop problem as a team. The fuel rig has to be improved. When it wasn't clicked in properly the fuel should not have been able to come out. The team will work on improving it for the Chinese Grand Prix.

Besides that incident,

the Japanese race was pretty good. I liked the track a lot, Suzuka is really challenging. The fans were amazing. On Monday I flew from Osaka (Japan) to Shanghai (China). It's the second time I've been to Shanghai. Last year I visited Shanghai to race with the DTM series at the street circuit - an amazing event! The track in Shanghai will be a big challenge again. Just like Interlagos and Suzuka it is a track I've not raced at before.

The team will bring a few new parts for the car to see if we can do something special at Minardi's last race. It will be really something special for all those guys that worked for the team for many many years already. It's a shame the name Minardi will probably disappear but with a bigger budget the team itself can do much better in the years to come.

more news

• 28 Nov.
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  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
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  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation

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