Ferrari’s Formula 1 pit light procedure will need serious revision following Sunday’s disastrous pit stop at the 2018 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Bahrain, which saw Kimi Raikkonen run over his own mechanic when the green pit light was activated.
The accident sent Francesco Cigarini, a long-time member of Ferrari’s Formula 1 crew, to the Bahrain Defense Force Hospital with a broken tibia and fibula. Once under the care of the best doctors in the Kingdom of Bahrain, it was determined that Cigarini had to undergo emergency surgery in order reduce the lasting effects of his injury, although it hasn’t been determined when or if he’ll return to the Formula 1 circus anytime soon.
Cigarini has posted several updates about his condition to his social media accounts, which have seen an outpour of support messages from thousands of fans, but also from current and past Formula 1 drivers and team personnel. Race winner Sebastian Vettel also took a moment to wish the mechanic a speedy recovery during his podium interview.
Following an internal investigation of the accident, the FIA fined Scuderia Ferrari an amount equivalent to nearly $62,000 for the unsafe release of Kimi Raikkonen’s car. But in typical Ferrari fashion, team executives have refused to comment or release any information about what went wrong with their pit light system and other failsafe procedures that are designed to prevent these situations.
Kimi Raikkonen commented on the accident on a statement released by the team. “What happened to our guy Francesco today at the pit-stop is very unfortunate. I feel sorry for him and hope he’s going to be OK soon,” said Raikkonen.
“It’s always a bad thing when someone gets injured but I am sure he has the best people taking good care of him and I wish him a speedy recovery. As for the accident itself, all I know is that I moved when I saw the green light go on,” he added.
“I couldn’t have possibly realized that there was an issue with the rear left wheel, then I saw someone had got hurt and, immediately, I was told to stop by the team. Unfortunately, something must have gone wrong and we’ll need to find out what.”