The Chequered Flag

[Rotten Ali 600]

Sheene enjoyed his lifestyle, socialising with friends such as James Hunt, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, drinking and smoking heavily even having a hole drilled through the chin-bar on his full-face helmet allowing him to smoke right up to the start of a race.

 

In July 2002, at the age of 51, Sheene was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus and stomach. Refusing conventional treatments involving chemotherapy, Sheene instead opted for a holistic approach involving a strict diet devised by Austrian healer Rudolf Breuss, intended to starve the cancer of nourishment.

 

He died peacefully surrounded by his family at a hospital on Queensland's Gold Coast in 2003, aged 52, having suffered from the condition for eight months.

[Rotten Ali 600]

Bad vibes about the crash involving Jules Bianchi.

Side on hit against the tractor's counter weight recovering Adrian Sutil's car. Unconscious and said to have major head injuries. Being sent by road ambulance to local large hospital. Looks something like a repeat of Marussia's Maria deVillota's crash.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/29496295

 

One tweet doing the rounds:

@ReallyDes @rabi97 @tgruener Pretty sure Hamilton asked Rosberg "is he dead" and he just nodded back.

 

Edit. 5pm UK time

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/29499545

 

Out of surgery and breathing on his own. Fair improvement all told.

[the_engineer 1,415]

Bad vibes about the crash involving Jules Bianchi.

Side on hit against the tractor's counter weight recovering Adrian Sutil's car. Unconscious and said to have major head injuries. Being sent by road ambulance to local large hospital. Looks something like a repeat of Marussia's Maria deVillotta's crash.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk...rmula1/29496295

 

One tweet doing the rounds:

@ReallyDes @rabi97 @tgruener Pretty sure Hamilton asked Rosberg "is he dead" and he just nodded back.

 

Edit. 5pm UK time

http://www.bbc.co.uk...rmula1/29499545

 

Out of surgery and breathing on his own. Fair improvement all told.

 

I think he will be ok . The helmet looks to be in good condition far better than what i expected and it looks like he went right under the tow truck. I wonder if they had to get a tow truck to remove the tow truck?The irony in that.

 

I think he will recover maybe take a year or two out of formula 1 and come back .

 

http://autosprint.corrieredellosport.it/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/01.jpg

[Dr. Zorders 1,271]

Bad vibes about the crash involving Jules Bianchi.

Side on hit against the tractor's counter weight recovering Adrian Sutil's car. Unconscious and said to have major head injuries. Being sent by road ambulance to local large hospital. Looks something like a repeat of Marussia's Maria deVillotta's crash.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk...rmula1/29496295

 

One tweet doing the rounds:

@ReallyDes @rabi97 @tgruener Pretty sure Hamilton asked Rosberg "is he dead" and he just nodded back.

 

Edit. 5pm UK time

http://www.bbc.co.uk...rmula1/29499545

 

Out of surgery and breathing on his own. Fair improvement all told.

 

I think he will be ok . The helmet looks to be in good condition far better than what i expected and it looks like he went right under the tow truck. I wonder if they had to get a tow truck to remove the tow truck?The irony in that.

 

I think he will recover maybe take a year or two out of formula 1 and come back .

 

http://autosprint.co.../2014/10/01.jpg

 

I've never been as convinced as I was this morning that someone off the TV had just snuffed it. Everyone sounded scared shitless. Since they say he's breathing on his own now this is obviously some kind of minor miracle or the people at the circuit were being major drama queens.

 

Although I guess maybe I should have realised, if precious Sutil had seen something that bad he wouldn't have been talking to the cameras or reporters at all, would have been off somewhere crying on Lewis' shoulder taking it like a man because there are no gays in Bernie's manly pro-Russian pro-Qatar series.

 

Man, the_engineer I haven't followed an F1 race that closely, or given a fuck about the sport like that in years. I was hopeful that rain+Suzuka might make a half-decent race. I was totally glued there by my modern F1- watching standards, I must have only had the mute button on for half the race! And I didn't change the channel once! And it's all come flooding back to me today, I totally forgot that AUTOSPRINT is the number 1 Italian meathead publication of choice for ghoulish pictures of fucked drivers that no-one else will print! Don't worry though I hadn't forgotten how much the experience of Eddie Jordan talking makes me want to dive headfirst into the nearest piranha tank..

 

Meanwhile, it seems first year Deathlist candidate Andrea de Cesaris has been killed in a motorcycle accident in Italy: http://roma.repubbli...s/gra-97398499/

 

No fucking way!

[Red Flag 84]

According to Radio Monte Carlo (who, if you remember, first reported Schumacher's accident), Bianchi is now on a ventilator due to increased bleeding and may now need another operation. We could be here a while

[maryportfuncity 10,646]

Bad vibes about the crash involving Jules Bianchi.

Side on hit against the tractor's counter weight recovering Adrian Sutil's car. Unconscious and said to have major head injuries. Being sent by road ambulance to local large hospital. Looks something like a repeat of Marussia's Maria deVillotta's crash.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk...rmula1/29496295

 

One tweet doing the rounds:

@ReallyDes @rabi97 @tgruener Pretty sure Hamilton asked Rosberg "is he dead" and he just nodded back.

 

Edit. 5pm UK time

http://www.bbc.co.uk...rmula1/29499545

 

Out of surgery and breathing on his own. Fair improvement all told.

 

I think he will be ok . The helmet looks to be in good condition far better than what i expected and it looks like he went right under the tow truck. I wonder if they had to get a tow truck to remove the tow truck?The irony in that.

 

I think he will recover maybe take a year or two out of formula 1 and come back .

 

http://autosprint.co.../2014/10/01.jpg

 

I've never been as convinced as I was this morning that someone off the TV had just snuffed it. Everyone sounded scared shitless. Since they say he's breathing on his own now this is obviously some kind of minor miracle or the people at the circuit were being major drama queens.

 

Although I guess maybe I should have realised, if precious Sutil had seen something that bad he wouldn't have been talking to the cameras or reporters at all, would have been off somewhere crying on Lewis' shoulder taking it like a man because there are no gays in Bernie's manly pro-Russian pro-Qatar series.

 

Man, the_engineer I haven't followed an F1 race that closely, or given a fuck about the sport like that in years. I was hopeful that rain+Suzuka might make a half-decent race. I was totally glued there by my modern F1- watching standards, I must have only had the mute button on for half the race! And I didn't change the channel once! And it's all come flooding back to me today, I totally forgot that AUTOSPRINT is the number 1 Italian meathead publication of choice for ghoulish pictures of fucked drivers that no-one else will print! Don't worry though I hadn't forgotten how much the experience of Eddie Jordan talking makes me want to dive headfirst into the nearest piranha tank..

 

Meanwhile, it seems first year Deathlist candidate Andrea de Cesaris has been killed in a motorcycle accident in Italy: http://roma.repubbli...s/gra-97398499/

 

No fucking way!

 

And nobody, but nobody had de Crasheris on the DDP. Oh, the irony!

[Rotten Ali 600]

Bad day at black rock. Just like 1994 we have consecutive major accidents that take out Grand Prix drivers. Twenty years on thank goodness that survivability of such is a whole lot more improved it looks like Bianchi can have a shot at pulling through. 55 is no age to die but at least deCesaris had a most remarkable career both in and out of the cockpit.

[Guest agent of the reaper]

According to a french (motosport) site, his health has took a turn for le worse. He is no longer breathing on his own and his brain started to bleed again. http://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/f1/bianchi-pourrait-etre-reopere-838397.html

[Whitehouse 872]

Funny. RTL Teletekst in the Netherlands is reporting the opposite. After the operation he regained conciousness.

 

De Cesaris is a record holder in Formula 1. He has the record of having the longest career without a victory.

[the_engineer 1,415]

http://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/jules-bianchi-crash-video-surfaces-of-f1-incident-at-japanese-grand-prix/story-fnec578q-1227082081644

 

 

Video footage has emerged of the crash , there is a vine on that page . I can't believe he is still alive looks absolutely horrific , i changed my opinion after seeing that if he can have some sort of normal life after this its amazing and if he does race again its a miracle .

[Dr. Zorders 1,271]

Yeah the video is absolutely shocking, he goes so fast into the fucking thing, the brakes were obviously useless in the weather. Those little JCB-type thingies are so tough, have you ever felt the side or back of one of those? I can't even see any serious marks on the tractor in the photos, and yet the back of his car was absolutely torn to shreds. Scary.

 

However those F1 helmets are also very strong..... and I guess it might have been somewhat of a glancing or grazing blow, or there's no way he would still be with us.

 

I don't want to jinx the guy but it's amazing he was reported as breathing on his own so quickly after the operation. I was absolutely convinced on Sunday morning he was a goner but after all I think luck might be on his side this time (and F1's....... yet again)

[Red Flag 84]

Official statement from Marussia and the Bianchi family: http://www.marussiaf1team.com/news/1035/

 

The following statement is provided by the family of Jules Bianchi, in conjunction with the Mie General Medical Center, and is distributed on their behalf by the Marussia F1 Team.

 

“This is a very difficult time for our family, but the messages of support and affection for Jules from all over the world have been a source of great comfort to us. We would like to express our sincere appreciation.

 

Jules remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi. He has suffered a diffuse axonal injury and is in a critical but stable condition. The medical professionals at the hospital are providing the very best treatment and care and we are grateful for everything they have done for Jules since his accident.

 

We are also grateful for the presence of Professor Gerard Saillant, President of the FIA Medical Commission, and Professor Alessandro Frati, Neurosurgeon of the University of Rome La Sapienza, who has travelled to Japan at the request of Scuderia Ferrari. They arrived at the hospital today and met with the medical personnel responsible for Jules’ treatment, in order to be fully informed of his clinical status so that they are able to advise the family. Professors Saillant and Frati acknowledge the excellent care being provided by the Mie General Medical Center and would like to thank their Japanese colleagues.

 

The hospital will continue to monitor and treat Jules and further medical updates will be provided when appropriate.”

[maryportfuncity 10,646]

Official statement from Marussia and the Bianchi family: http://www.marussiaf....com/news/1035/

 

The following statement is provided by the family of Jules Bianchi, in conjunction with the Mie General Medical Center, and is distributed on their behalf by the Marussia F1 Team.

 

“This is a very difficult time for our family, but the messages of support and affection for Jules from all over the world have been a source of great comfort to us. We would like to express our sincere appreciation.

 

Jules remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi. He has suffered a diffuse axonal injury and is in a critical but stable condition. The medical professionals at the hospital are providing the very best treatment and care and we are grateful for everything they have done for Jules since his accident.

 

We are also grateful for the presence of Professor Gerard Saillant, President of the FIA Medical Commission, and Professor Alessandro Frati, Neurosurgeon of the University of Rome La Sapienza, who has travelled to Japan at the request of Scuderia Ferrari. They arrived at the hospital today and met with the medical personnel responsible for Jules’ treatment, in order to be fully informed of his clinical status so that they are able to advise the family. Professors Saillant and Frati acknowledge the excellent care being provided by the Mie General Medical Center and would like to thank their Japanese colleagues.

 

The hospital will continue to monitor and treat Jules and further medical updates will be provided when appropriate.”

 

Not good, that's medical speak for widespread and significant brain damage meaning lots of functions stand to be significantly impaired with little hope of full recovery. A half decent guess is damaged tissue over the surface of his brain on the side of impact, impacting on memory, motor function, awareness etc. He's possibly comatose for life, and almost certainly not coming back as the same person. They've stated the type of injury though not the level of severity. Then again, the footage of the crash makes clear the speed he was moving on impact, and that isn't good either. On the positive side, he had good safety features on the car, almost instant medical attention and rapid evacuation to the best possible care.

[Rotten Ali 600]

Get the gist from the wiki page for this type of injury that Jules has less than a recovery chance of 10%, with just about no hope that with such an injury can ever return to a fully well state.

 

The damage to both his car and the tractor is a testament to the likely scale of the brain injury he may have. 92G impact at 140 mph with a 6 ton tractor chassis that's made of quarter inch thick steel, malformed to the shape of racing car...

 

Tragedy of the highest order.

[Davey Jones' Locker 1,324]

Dumb question from someone who doesn't know much about F1: while the crane was lifting that other car off the track, why weren't they operating under pace car conditions?

[Rotten Ali 600]

Because they can't think of everything. The main recourse is for marshalls to wave large yellow flags (double waved). However in the wet and the gloom the drivers can't see these so well. Often large flashing yellow marker signs show up danger areas. The drivers are not allowed to attempt to overtake each other and reduce their speed to mitigate risk to themselves and any course workers.

 

However most keep their foot down to a larger degree and reduce their speed to only show the bare minimum throttle back of about half a second for such an incident as Sutil had.

 

The large JCB type tractor plucks the crashed car from the gravel trap and the yellows are removed.

 

The curcuit is very wet by now and others have increasing trouble getting safely round the corner being attended. Accidents happen when procedure is not risk averse. The FIA figure they can wing it but the consiquences of this are not nice to see.

[Davey Jones' Locker 1,324]

Because they can't think of everything. The main recourse is for marshalls to wave large yellow flags (double waved). However in the wet and the gloom the drivers can't see these so well. Often large flashing yellow marker signs show up danger areas. The drivers are not allowed to attempt to overtake each other and reduce their speed to mitigate risk to themselves and any course workers.

 

However most keep their foot down to a larger degree and reduce their speed to only show the bare minimum throttle back of about half a second for such an incident as Sutil had.

 

The large JCB type trackor plucks the crashed car from the gravel trap and the yellows are removed.

 

The curcuit is very wet by now and others have increasing trouble getting safely round the corner being attended. Accidents happen when procedure is not risk averse. The FIA figure they can wing it but the consiquences of this are not nice to see.

Thanks Ali.

[Guest F-1 fan]

Sometimes they do send in the safety car when they are removing the wreck and/or debris - mostly when they think the wreck would pose a grave threat to the other drivers (ie. it's in their way) or the debris would be difficult to reach, but it's entirely up to the FIA race director's (Charlie Whiting's) discretion. And they obviously want to avoid that whenever possible since it can significantly affect the result of a race.

 

(For instance, Alonso has won one of his WC's with the help of a teammate [Nelsinho Piquet], who just happened to wreck his car at the best possible moment to trigger a SC when it was advantageous for Alonso. Dirty tactics like this are incredibly damaging for F-1, and they might be more prevalent if sending in the SC was part of the standard procedure)

[Davey Jones' Locker 1,324]

Sometimes they do send in the safety car when they are removing the wreck and/or debris - mostly when they think the wreck would pose a grave threat to the other drivers (ie. it's in their way) or the debris would be difficult to reach, but it's entirely up to the FIA race director's (Charlie Whiting's) discretion. And they obviously want to avoid that whenever possible since it can significantly affect the result of a race.

 

(For instance, Alonso has won one of his WC's with the help of a teammate [Nelsinho Piquet], who just happened to wreck his car at the best possible moment to trigger a SC when it was advantageous for Alonso. Dirty tactics like this are incredibly damaging for F-1, and they might be more prevalent if sending in the SC was part of the standard procedure)

Cheers, F1 fan.

[Red Flag 84]

No news over the last few days (even Schumacher's doctors gave out some information every day for the first week or so), rumours of a deterioration, and people like Romain Grosjean and Alain Prost dropping hints that all is not well

 

If the worst comes to the worst, I just hope it doesn't go the way of Bruce Jacobi, who was in a coma for 4 years after a NASCAR accident in 1983 before eventually dying

[Guest Guest]

No news over the last few days (even Schumacher's doctors gave out some information every day for the first week or so), rumours of a deterioration, and people like Romain Grosjean and Alain Prost dropping hints that all is not well

 

If the worst comes to the worst, I just hope it doesn't go the way of Bruce Jacobi, who was in a coma for 4 years after a NASCAR accident in 1983 before eventually dying

 

Well it just might... The one thing we do know is the type of injury he had, which - as Rotten Ali stated - carries a very bleak prognosis: most people with a similar type of traumatic brain injury never regain consciousness. On the other hand, since 1983 doctors became much better at keeping people in a PVS/coma alive than in 1983. Terri Schiavo was kept alive for 15 years, Ariel Sharon for 9 years, Sunny von Bülow for 28 years... And it could have been even longer for Terri (if her husband had wanted to keep her alive) while goold old Arik was both old and massively obese before his major stroke.

 

The French are usually conservative and catholic, so they aren't supportive of euthanasia - this probably means that the guy won't be allowed to die even if it becomes clear that he doesn't have any realistic chance to ever live a normal life.

[Deadringer 1]

Surely it's about time there was another?

 

Michael Schumacher to persish (painfully) would be great but being a realist, I reckon his brother Ralph is a prime candidate as are Fernando Alonso and Takuma Sato.

 

Also, in rallying I reckon Richard Burns' brain tumour could make him a contender...

 

http://metro.co.uk/2014/10/12/schumachers-head-injuries-caused-by-gopro-camera-mounted-on-ski-helmet-4902312/

 

Well I would imagine they have got a close up of the damage then?

[En Passant 3,741]

Surely it's about time there was another?

 

Michael Schumacher to persish (painfully) would be great but being a realist, I reckon his brother Ralph is a prime candidate as are Fernando Alonso and Takuma Sato.

 

Also, in rallying I reckon Richard Burns' brain tumour could make him a contender...

 

http://metro.co.uk/2...helmet-4902312/

 

Well I would imagine they have got a close up of the damage then?

To the rock? Yes.

[the_engineer 1,415]

Interesting link. According to jules bianchi's father he has widespread brain injures and diffuse axonal injury . Essentially he injuries are worse than Michael schumacher's with 90% never regaining consciousness. Apparently no one has ever survived such a serious incident either and its already a miracle he is still here.

 

http://www.theguardi...la-one-marussia

 

sorry mods Should delete this. I just read previous posts and this has already been posted

[Rotten Ali 600]

Loading on the car was 50G, but a (new this year) whiplash sensor in his ear piece registerd 93G. Some surviving accidents have been calculated to have been higher G load. Notably David Purley's near death 1977 silverstone crash, about 108mph to zero in 26inches (about 170G) but loadings transmitted directly to the head are not as well noted.

 

Dan Wheldon's Las Vegas crash into a catch fence pole had some very high ear piece load sensor G numbers -250G Lonitudinal, -200G vertical and 110G right motion.

 

Bianchi's 93G maybe survivable but you have to ask at what cost?