Loeb: Park's accident makes me think.

Reigning world champion, Sebastien Loeb has called on the FIA and the manufacturers' in the sport to try improve safety in the wake of Michael Park's fatal accident Sunday on the Wales Rally GB.

The Frenchman told his personal website that no-one would mind sacrificing performance, if it would reduce some of the dangers.

"The death of Michael Park threw a black veil on this edition of the Rally of Great Britain," he stated. "When Marcus [Gronholm] returned to service and took note of the facts he withdrew. They covered up the car and Peugeot went into mourning.

"Someone came up to me to say that Gronholm had given up and that I was the champion. But I could not imagine obtaining my second title in these circumstances. I wanted to give up - it is only points after all. But there are many stakes - points in manufacturers' championship, for example. The team met and discussed what we could do. We decided to check in late at the final time control, to incur a penalty, which dropped us to third.

"If I must be champion, I want to deserve it. Mathematically, Marcus and Petter [Solberg] still have a chance now. But now it is a rally which will decide it and not a drama.

"This accident puts things in perspective. It has made me reflect. We all know our sport involves a risk. However fatal accidents are rare and the dangers are quickly forgotten. The cars are well designed and solid, but it is not always sufficient. There is always a compromise between safety and weight. Of course one might think the cars are too powerful and too sophisticated. But for us they are very easy to take to the limit... maybe the speeds are too high but one will never eliminate completely the risk of fatalities in motorsport.

"However if it is necessary to add 30 kg if that makes it safer, then it should be done and imposed on everyone. Everyone would agree to it. Even if it that does harm performance.

"Michael's accident is hard also for Daniel [Elena - my co-driver], who was closer to him than me. There is a real solidarity between all the co-drivers. It is a kind of 'brotherhood'. Between drivers, it is different. I am sad, but tomorrow we will go on. It is necessary to get back quickly."