Pierre Gasly appeared to be satisfied with the outcome of the FIA's review into his close call at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Formula 1's governing body pledged to assemble a review panel after a series of controversial moments at Suzuka earlier this month. And the report from that investigation was released on Friday, which included a detailed look into the moment which saw Gasly come close to a recovery vehicle while out on track.
While he passed without incident despite the treacherous weather conditions, it was a terrifying reminder of F1's most recent tragic loss. Jules Bianchi died as a result of injuries sustained after crashing into a tractor on the same track in 2014.
Gasly, who felt that loss even more keenly than most as a childhood friend of Bianchi, was clearly emotional when later speaking to TV cameras. "Obviously I felt scared – if I had lost the car in a similar way as Carlos [Sainz] the lap before, it doesn't matter the speed, I would have just died," he said.
The Frenchman also went on to add: "I'm just extremely grateful that I'm here and tonight I can go home to all my family and my loved ones." In its report, the FIA panel admitted that it was the wrong decision to allow the recovery vehicle on track while F1 cars were still out.
"The review panel acknowledged that having recovery cranes on track at Suzuka during the weather conditions is a sensitive matter in view of the tragic incidents of the past," it said. "The panel determined that in hindsight, as the weather conditions were changing, it would have been prudent to have delayed the deployment of the recovery vehicles on track."
The report still said Gasly had been "reckless" for travelling at the speed he was through that section of the circuit as the race was neutralised. The racer was asked about that in Austin this weekend, but wanted instead to focus on the changes in procedure that look set to be made.
"I was most interested by what they will put in place for the future," he told reporters. "That's what I discussed with [FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem] after the race in Suzuka, that whatever happened there happened. And most important is just moving forward, that we make sure everybody is safe, whether it's in F1 or in the lower categories.
"That's what they are they are working on. I think what they put in place is clearly good steps forward. I know we're going to discuss it at the drivers' briefing, and anything more we could do will be welcome. But I'm glad to see they worked on this matter very quickly, and came up with solutions already the race straight after that happened."
