Q&A: Mark Blundell.

An emotional Mark Blundell reflects on Alex Zanardi's horrific accident - talking about a racing colleague he competed against in both F1 and CART, what it is like to see such a devastating crash and a lot more...

Q:
How does it feel when another driver gets hurt in this way and it's the sort of accident that could happen to anyone racing on ovals?

Mark Blundell:

I think it's very... [long pause] ...you know it has an effect - every driver that races whether it's F1 or CART or whatever can picture themselves in that situation. It also has an effect in that Alex is a great guy and has a young family. At the same point though we all know the risks involved and that unfortunately is a part of our sport. It's a strange feeling...

Q:
What's it like getting back into a car after seeing something like that, with such devastating consequences?

MB:
You just have to put it to the back of your mind. If it's at the forefront of your mind, then you just won't get back into the car. It's something you learn to live with as a driver. I know people we've lost, and you just have to get on with it or, if you can't, it's time to do something else.

Q:
Would it affect your plans to do more oval racing?

MB:
Not at this point. My plans are the same as they were before. What it does highlight though is that something needs to be done about ovals - particularly where the pit exit goes back onto the main track. Overall though, it hasn't changed my outlook.

Q:
How do drivers feel when it's one of their own - it's pretty bad seeing it as a motorsport fan or a member of the media, but what does a driver feel when it's a fellow driver?

MB:
I just think it is very tough. All racing drivers have a common bond of respect, and it just isn't easy. It is something though, as a racing driver, you grown up with and, unfortunately, that sort of threat is always there.

Q:
What was Alex Zanardi like to race against?

MB:
Great guy, a fierce competitor, clean, very talented and we had some great races together.

Q:
What was Alex like in the paddock and with the other drivers?

MB:
A good guy, always smiling, no big deals, as good as anyone when it came to socialising with other drivers. All round, just a great bloke.

Q:
Should Johnny Herbert re-consider his move into the IRL, especially as he's already suffered a huge accident which affected his legs in F3000 and already made the decision to quit F1 motor racing?

MB:
Johnny obviously still has the desire to race and, at the end of the day, it is his choice, his decision. All I would say, though, is that he may have had crashes before but nothing, nothing compares to one on an oval. They can be terrifying as we have seen recently with Alex.

Q:
Is it a good move on CART's part seeking to spread their championship outside the US? Should they not be working on strengthening it in the US first, as it's suffered a great deal against IRL and NASCAR?

MB:
I think they definitely have to look to venture out, and the races outside the US have always got great crowds - we've seen that in Mexico and Australia. Overall, it is a good move as it gives the product global exposure, which can only be good for sponsors and so on. At the same time, though, they still need to improve it in America.

Q:
How can they improve it in America?

MB:
I think to answer that you really need to ask the people involved in running it. As a driver, I would have very different ideas and priorities. My view, though, is that there are two main areas they need to work on: firstly, they need to educate the fans and viewers, and secondly, they also need to increase the profile of the sport.

Q:
Will you be going to Rockingham?

MB:
Yes. At the moment, I think I will be assisting down in the pits, but this still has to be confirmed. Whatever happens, though, I will definitely be involved in the BBC's coverage in some way or another.

Q:
Are you looking forward to Rockingham in light of recent events?

MB:
Yes, I am still looking forward to it. I'm a bit upset though - saddened for two main reasons: one, obviously because of Alex's accident, and also because I would like to have raced there myself in front of my home crowd.

Q:
Do you think CART is a better show than F1 for the fans?

MB:
There are several positives and negatives for both series. CART is more accessible and there is more racing, but on the other hand, F1 is more glamorous and is at the cutting edge in terms of technology. Overall, while CART is better in terms of pure racing, F1 is more of a pure sport.

Q:
Should the two races last week - at Monza and the Lausitzring - have been cancelled due to the US tragedies?

MB:
No.

Q:
Why not?

MB:
I think life has to go on. Personally, I think it would be better for those involved - lost, injured and so on - to know that people are moving on rather than dwelling on it. At the same point, though, you have to realise how tragic it was, and it is difficult to put into words what people were feeling after such a disaster. At some point, though, you have to go on, you have to carry on living and you can't just put a stop to everything. Can you?