The FIA has revised its plans to hold a minute’s silence for the victims of road accidents before the Brazilian Grand Prix in the wake of yesterday’s terrorist attacks in Paris.
However Formula One’s governing body does not currently plan to observe a period of silence out of respect for the 129 people who are confirmed to have been killed in the French capital yesterday.
In a statement issued on Saturday the FIA confirmed “a backdrop prepared for the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims will be displayed behind the drivers on the grid at 13:45 (local time) for a minute of silence as a tribute to those who have lost their lives or have been injured in road traffic accidents.”
Commemorations for the Paris attacks will take place earlier in the pre-race proceedings.
“The drivers’ parade lap will see all competitors wearing a black armband as a sign of mourning and tribute to the victims of the Paris tragedy and as a gesture of solidarity with their families and loved ones,” the FIA confirmed.
“In addition, a French flag decorated with a black ribbon will be carried on the truck used during the drivers’ parade. The same flag will be displayed on the world television feed, as will 13.11.2015, the date of the tragedy.”
Romain Grosjean’s team Lotus have separately confirmed their cars will display the hashtag ‘PrayForParis’ on Sunday.
Ibrahim (@ibrahim)
14th November 2015, 22:12
We only get this outpouring of grief when these events happen in “first world” countries. Something like 2,000 Nigerians were massacared in one swoop earlier this year. Anyone even heard about that?
Luca
14th November 2015, 22:57
They do what the spectators want and what they care about, because it’s a show. If the spectators expect them to show off a french flag they’ll do that, if spectators don’t care about what happens in Borneo, in Beirut, in Mossul, in Durban, they won’t care either.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
15th November 2015, 0:53
@ibrahim absolutely agree.
The world stinks anyway…
BasCB (@bascb)
15th November 2015, 10:44
Sadly, I don’t remember reading about that @ibrahim. You are right to point that out, and we should be sad for all of them, as well as the poor innocent people dying from being hit by the various sides in the Syrian conflict, in Iraq in Libia, in Afganistan, in Jemen and sadly in a great many more places almost daily.
But to hold a minute of silence for those who lost their lives in road accidents instead of paying respect to those who died in Paris only days back is not the way to go IMO.
Gabriel (@rethla)
15th November 2015, 15:03
@bascb
Nothing is stopping you from dedicating your thoughts during the silent minute to the dead in france instead of the other less important dead.
What a silly thing to argue about.
BasCB (@bascb)
15th November 2015, 15:06
really? Sure we can focus on whatever we want, including the chips in your bowl, the coffee boiling, eating your dinner or whatever.
And making our own minute of silence at a different time. But that is not quite the point here is it
HUHHII (@huhhii)
14th November 2015, 22:45
These attacks were took place solely because of extremist religious beliefs. “PRAY for Paris” sounds oh so wrong in a situation like this… Maybe Lotus could have gone with other catchphrase?
glynh (@glynh)
14th November 2015, 23:15
I think it’s a nice statement by lotus, it reflects what many are saying. They could have gone with ‘think of Paris’ or something but it’s better that they go with an honest statement of how they feel than change because of the tragedy.
mickey18 (@mickey18)
15th November 2015, 0:03
I’m in no way a massive social media user, but that’s the hashtag that everyone’s using, Lotus didn’t make it up.
France is one of the few countries I’ve been to away from home. Beautiful place, beautiful people. My thoughts are with the families.
Tiomkin
15th November 2015, 9:55
It is possible to pray for something and not be religious. In that instance praying is just wishing deeply for something to happen. No deity necessary.
dragoll (@dragoll)
14th November 2015, 23:13
No doubt the FIA spent many hours planning and preparing the “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims” banner, however, it seems to me that the attacks on French soil are probably a more serious and are a more pressing issue than a national day dedicated to road traffic victims. Surely the minute of silence closer to the race should be in memory of the victims in Paris, the timing is important for this as many tributes are flowing this weekend in the wake of the attack. I’m sure the banner can be shipped to Abu Dhabi and rolled out there.
Perhaps its the cynic in me, however, I’m left wondering if Bernie has packaged up a “tribute” sponsorship package that the organisers of the world day of rememberence for road traffic victims has paid for?
PorscheF1 (@xtwl)
15th November 2015, 9:44
@dragoll Or let’s be super efficient and count one minute for both…
BasCB (@bascb)
15th November 2015, 10:49
Its more about Todt persuing that political wish of his to be seen as the ambassador of road safety with the UN @dragoll, I read that Bernie actually tried to persuade Todt to drop the road traffic victims angle completely in favour of a minute silence for the fictims of this attack in Paris.
Gaby
15th November 2015, 11:25
Very right.
Todt uses every possible opportunity to promote himself and his role of UN Ambassador for Road Safety.
No intetest for the problems of F1 or for the victims of the events in Paris.
beneboy (@beneboy)
15th November 2015, 11:36
@dragoll
More than 400 times as many people are killed on the roads than by terrorism around the world. The death toll from the Paris attacks is about half the number of people that will die on the roads of France this month.
There’s very little the FIA can do about terrorism, they’re one of the most important organisations in the world when it comes to road safety, and since 1994 have played a leading role in road safety, and deserve to be congratulated for the efforts they’ve made to help save hundreds of thousands of lives on our roads.
Drg
15th November 2015, 12:58
No @beneboy they most certainly are not.
Other organisations worldwide are far more focused and effective that Jean’s latest political ego trip!
Further, to push aside an act of terrorism because ‘more are killed on the roads’ Please…
Gaby
15th November 2015, 13:39
The ego and ambition of Todt are inversement proportional to his moral and physical stature.
Mangy Black Sheep (@mangyblacksheep)
14th November 2015, 23:19
In a hectic and devastating time like this, it is always important to keep a level and rational mind. Succumbing to whatever fear and/or hatred you maybe feeling will only play into the hands of the people responsible for this attack.
Gaby
15th November 2015, 10:46
Jean Todt must be futious.
The events in Paris have taken away intetest from a cerimony to celebrate his role of Ambassador of the United Nation for Road Safety…..
What a problem for his ego.