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Why don't they upgrade that damn cars, they are still constructed on the basis from 70's?!
Even F1 safety standards would struggle to save lives in collisions like this on ovals.
Open wheel cars are not a good choice for high speed ovals.
Formula One has paid tribute to IndyCar racer Dan Wheldon, who died in an accident in the season-ending Las Vegas race on Sunday.
Wheldon, the 2005 IndyCar Champion and winner of the 2005 and 2011 Indianapolis 500, was involved in a 15-car pile-up on lap 12 of the race.
Running at the bottom of the car, his car was launched into the air and rolled across the track before making contract with the safety fence and wall.
Wheldon was airlifted to hospital with IndyCar announcing two hours later that he had not survived the accident. He was 33.
"This is an extremely sad day," said McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton.
"Dan was a racer I'd followed throughout my career, as I often followed in his footsteps as we climbed the motorsport ladder in the UK. He was an extremely talented driver.
"As a British guy, who not only went over to the States but who twice won the Indy 500, he was an inspirational guy, and someone that every racing driver looked up to with respect and admiration. This is a tragic loss at such a young age.
"My heart goes out to his family and friends during this extremely difficult time."
His team-mate Jenson Button wrote on Twitter: "Just woken up to the most horrific news.. Dan Wheldon RIP.
"I have so many good memories of racing with Dan in the early 90's, a true fighter. We've lost a legend in our sport but also a great guy...
"I can't begin to imagine what his family are going through and my thoughts are with them at this very difficult time."
The McLaren duo were joined by Red bull's Mark Webber who said: "Rest in Peace Dan. I remember our early days in the UK in 1995/96... Miss ya..."
Having watched Indy (and also CART during its existence) ever since Nigel Mansell went over to the states in 1993, I'd watched every one of Dan Wheldon's races that were televised since his debut. I'd watched his highs and lows on the track, and watched many many live interviews and PR pieces with him off of it.
I was watching it all unfold live in the 'race' and aftermath, and it was pretty clear about 45 mins before they announced it officially that Dan was gone, just from watching the body language of those at the track.
There's more I would like to say about safety etc. but I don't think right now is the best moment to do so. Maybe I'll come back to the thread later and say something on that. For now I'm not embarrassed to say that I was in tears, and I still genuinely have a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach, almost as though it were a family member that had been killed.
RIP Dan, thanks for the memories you've given me and the rest of the people that watched you race. My heart goes out to his family and friends as if this is how I'm freeling, I can't even begin to imagine what they're going through.
Why don't they upgrade that damn cars, they are still constructed on the basis from 70's?!
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