Hockenheim intruder gets compensation

[Gerard]

Robert Sehli, the man who jumped onto the track during the 2000 German Grand Prix at the Hockenheim circuit and caused a safety car period, has been awarded economical compensation from Mercedes-Benz.

The 47-year old Sehli, a former employee of Mercedes-Benz cut through the fences and walked onto the track, wearing a white coat with an anti-Mercedes message on it.

Sehli, who claimed he was unfairly fired by Mercedes-Benz after 22 years with the German car company, will be granted a financial compensation of almost $12,000/7000 pounds after a French court ruled in his favour.

In light of the court's decision I understand that the guy has indeed been treated unfairly by Mercedes and that a compensation was justified.

What I don't understand is that he gets this compensation after he not only imperiled his own life but those of drivers, marshalls and spectators also.

Maybe the court decided his unfairly treatment was another case than his crossing the track, but in my opinion the two are related and he should not have been giving the compensation.

[Jay]

The 2 cases are completely seperate, and should not have any effect on one and other. To moe it actually sounds like he got ripped off. I am not aware of the cases full details, but if he did in fact deserve compensation, then what he recieved was peanuts.

What he did was stupid, but all it does is show that he is a complete idiot, which is not an issue in this case. It is a whole other case of whether Hockenheim charges him or not.

[Valentinik]

he's gonna be gutted if he gets fined for going on the track and endangering life and the fine ends up being bigger than his compensation payout.

[Liz]

That would be the ideal answer to the dilemma, IMO - we do not want to encourage people to think that endangering the lives of track officials and pilots is a good way to bring their personal problems to the attention of their employers or the government. Hockehneim should move promptly and decisively to be sure this man is punished in a meaningful way for his actions, and the FIA should insist on it and make it clear that this sort of thing will not be tolerated in the future.

No matter what kind of grievance he has, it does not justify his behaviour.

[Splatz]

I agree Liz. This extends to all racing categries and indeed high profile sports where people are close to the action.

Further more, I think what Mr Sehli did is in very poor taste and belittles the sad loss of life of people due to racing incidents. Marshalls, fans and drivers, have lost their lives tragically, some not so long ago of course. This idiot ran onto the track risking the lives of others. I'm sure the relatives of the victims from the F1 crash this year would appreciate their loved ones having a choice as to their fate, let alone a second chance. But life does not work that way.

Instead, perhaps this fellow could use some of his "resourcefulness" to find a way of helping the people who had no recourse for recovering their loss, as he did through legal avenues prior to his protest on a live track. While he cannot bring lost lives back of course, he could help with finacial support, by charitably giving some of his newly won monies to the real victims here.

Punishing him as a deterrent to copycats is one thing. Constructively helping those families who lost loved ones will be much need by those concerned. It is also a good reminder of the dangers of motorsport, and the ongoing need to develop new and safer ways of protecting everyone involved in the sport we love. I still feel hurt by the death of Canadian Greg Moore due to incorrect "safety" barrier placement.

Mr Sehli's actions should be a wake up call to track safety and security officials that more needs to be done. Lets hope they are heeding this warning signs.


Splatz


If anyone wishes to use this letter to benefit the issues I discussed, feel free to do so.

[Jay]

Did Hockhenheim press charges???

[Tris]

I persoanlly feel he should be charged and punsihed. To use "Mosely speak," take draconian measures aganst any body who does this sort of thing.

Apart from the usual melee with the Tifosi I was racking my brain to try to remeber a similar incident. The only one that sprang to mind was at Pheonix in 1991.

Van de Poele had a massive scare in pre-qualifying. Twenty-seven year old Marlon Rauvelli had been released from hospital and managed to slip past track security on his crutches. He hobbled out on to the track and was nearly hit by Van de Poele. Rauvelli’s actions were believed to be a suicide bid!

Can any body else remeber a similar incidednt?