Red Bull was fined €30,000 for an unsafe pit stop release after a lost wheel from Mark Webber’s car injured TV cameraman Paul Allen in Germany.
Webber was erroneously given the signal to leave the pits after his first stop, despite the right rear not being secured. The wheel immediately detached and rolled down the pitlane. It narrowly missed some Lotus mechanics and headed into the Mercedes pit, where two FOM TV pitlane cameramen were stationed.
The first was facing Webber and crouching down. Having seen the wheel, he moved out of the way, leaving his camera on the pit road. The wheel continued move along at ground level – until it struck the abandoned camera.
It then bounced upwards, hitting Allen – who was facing the other way after panning around to get Webber’s exit – squarely in the back. He was knocked to the ground, suffering broken ribs and a broken collarbone.
Red Bull initially thought that the man struck was a Mercedes mechanic, but the team was later informed that he was an FOM crew member, and kept informed of his condition.
Christian Horner chose not to inform Webber until after the race.
“Obviously we need to fully understand what’s happened and why the wheel wasn’t located,” said Horner. “The wheel has obviously then detached itself from the car with quite a bit of energy, and knocked a cameraman, Paul Allen, over. Most importantly he’s fundamentally OK. Obviously that was our primary concern, but it’s a timely reminder that the pitlane is still a pretty dangerous place to be.
“It’s a horrible feeling, because your immediate concern is for that individual, that he’ll be alright. Initially I thought it was a Mercedes mechanic, but very quickly I was updated by FOM that it was one of their cameraman, and he was on his way to hospital.
“All the initial signs looked OK and they kept me updated during the race with what their findings were. The important thing is that he’s OK. It must be shocking for his family as well to see something like that. The most important thing is he’s fundamentally OK.”
Regarding Webber, he said: “We chose not to inform Mark at that point, we didn’t see that it was relevant for him to be racing with that on his mind, so he was informed after the race. He was obviously very concerned for the wellbeing of the camera guy and pleased to hear that was OK.”
Horner said that it perhaps people working in the pitlane should be better protected.
“The mechanics have to wear safety gear and helmets, and maybe it’s time that we look at perhaps some of the other operational working people having to home some safety equipment as well.
“Head injuries in particular are pretty nasty, so maybe it’s something that needs to be looked at.”
Adam Cooper F1 
He wouldn’t have been hurt quite as seriously if the wheel had not got launched into the air. He’d still have been knocked down, but it wouldn’t have been as serious. Glad he’s ‘fundamentally ok’.
He was very lucky, that stray wheel could have done some serious damage. Although a helmet would not have prevented the injuries the poor guy sustained, it is crazy that the mechanics all wear them and not the camera crews.
I really don’t see a solution to the problem, it takes at least 14 guys to do a tyre change in a crowded pit lane, all of whom are looking at their car only and are therefore present a big target for an errant wheel. The nature of racing demands pit stops be done in seconds and a wheel gun/nut/mechanic fails in that hasty process at least a few times per season.The guy on the lollipop is under huge pressure to get the car out quickly and Sunday’s race was an example of what can happen.
Refueling was dangerous enough, despite a very technical interlock, fuel, gas vent system, there were several pit lane fires.How to make a perfect wheel nut change system? Beats me.