Motorsport: Schumacher blames fate on two motor racing fatalities

Formula One great Michael Schumacher said yesterday that two deaths which have stunned motorsports were "fate", as he backed safety standards at the new Indian Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion said drivers would race at full pelt this weekend despite the IndyCar and MotoGP tragedies, and even though the drivers' and constructors' titles had already been won.

"We can't think, while we drive, that we put ourselves in danger. We push our cars to the limit - that's what we feel comfortable with. That will be the same here this weekend," Schumacher said.

"Fate is something we all have to face sooner or later. I'm certainly very much touched with what has happened for both the drivers we have lost but, unfortunately, we have to say that's life."

This month's deaths of British Indycar driver Dan Wheldon and MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli have cast a sombre tone over preparations for India's first grand prix at the purpose-built Buddh International Circuit. But Schumacher said despite dust coating, the challenging layout near New Delhi and top speeds of up to 320km/h, the course's in-built safety features should keep drivers secure. "To have total safety, I think that is absolutely impossible, in any part of life," he said.

"Yes, there's more risk involved in a race-car sport ... at the same time, safety has been hugely improved."

Other drivers expressed shock at the deaths, with newly crowned back-to-back champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull calling the double tragedy "horrible". "We all take certain risks when we jump in the car or go on to the bike. We love motorsport - we love the thrill. At the same time, we always hope nothing will happen," Vettel said.

Britain's Jenson Button said he had known Wheldon since the age of 8, when they were both racing go-karts, and that they had grown up as fierce rivals on the Formula Ford circuit. "He was the guy you got up in the morning and said, 'I want to beat him'," Button said. "We had some great battles."

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso said he was stunned for days after watching both crashes on television, but he admitted racers often forgot the dangers during a race.

AFP