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Brazilian federation reacts to Interlagos death

ESPNF1 Staff
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The section of circuit in question is towards the end of the lap © Sutton Images
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Brazil's motor racing federation Confederacao Brasileira de Automobilismo (CBA) has asked the FIA for advice on improving safety standards at Interlagos after a fatality at the circuit last weekend.

On Sunday stock car driver Gustavo Sondermann died after he was struck by other cars in an incident almost identical to another fatality at the same Curva do Cafe in 2007. In both cases, the crashed car bounced off the barriers onto the racing line, triggering calls for grandstands to be demolished so that run-off can be installed.

"Today I have asked the FIA to send an inspector," CBA president Clayton Pinteiro told Agencia Estado. "We have not found a solution to improve so now races will start with a yellow flag in that stretch."

Interlagos installed 'softwall' barriers after the Rafael Sperafico fatality "but it has not worked", acknowledged Pinteiro. "I think there is no other recourse than the expansion of the run-off area for this corner."

Pinteiro said the change would require both the FIA's agreement due to the homologation rules, and also that of the Sao Paulo authorities.

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