19 Oct 2011

No margin for error in IndyCar, says Mansell

12:12 pm on 19 October 2011

Former Formula One world champion Nigel Mansell says when accidents happen in IndyCar racing drivers have nowhere to go but the wall.

His comments come as the world of motor sport continues to come to terms with the death of Britain's Dan Wheldon.

Wheldon died in an horrific 15-car crash at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, leaving fans stunned and plunging series officials into crisis management mode as the season-ending celebration turned to disaster.

Mansell says in Indy racing, there is simply nowhere to go and when an accident happens you are into the wall in a split second.

He says to have 34 cars travelling at 350 kms an hour on a mile-and-a-half long circuit, there are too many cars on the track.

Mansell, who won the F1 world title in 1992 and the IndyCar title a year later, lauded Formula One for it safety measures.

Red Bull Formula One driver Mark Webber says IndyCar will learn from the accident and look to make improvements.

He says the pack racing element of it is particularly hazardous