GPDA hopes gloves don’t hinder crash response

(GMM) The drivers' representative body GPDA is concerned about trackside marshals having to wear heavy insulated gloves this year, to tackle the risk of electrocution from F1's new KERS systems.

It was whispered at Albert Park on Friday that some of the trackside personnel in Australia, including medical aides, are not happy about being told to only touch cars and drivers while wearing the gloves.

Mark Webber, a leading light of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, admitted the body is concerned the situation may delay the implementation of emergency help, for example in the event of a crash that requires marshal intervention or medical assistance.

"Obviously if there is a large accident, and we need pretty good medical attention and very fast, it has been mentioned a while ago that we would like it to be addressed," the Australian driver told reporters in Melbourne.

The 32-year-old said the GPDA has been told that the type of gloves used will not hinder emergency response, but it is also true that less than half the field in Australia is not KERS-equipped.

Webber said: "Hopefully they will have some common sense that they know that the cars with KERS, the cars without KERS, can be treated a bit differently in the case of a panic or an emergency."