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While Conor Daly has yet to reach Formula One he’s already set himself apart as one of the most calm and mature racers anywhere in motor sport.
Currently racing for ART in the GP3 feeder series Daly, son of former Williams driver Derek, had a mammoth accident at Monaco a fortnight ago.
A disappointing opening race on Friday meant the American started some way down the order. On Saturday he’d quickly made his way through traffic until he reached Dmitry Suranovich.
The Belarusian, who races with a Russian license, defended ferociously. “He drove on his mirrors,” Daly later claimed when speaking with Will Buxton. As the pair diced, Daly made contact with Suranovich’s rear wing, damaging it beyond repair.
Suranovich carried on regardless, continuing to defend ahead of a string of cars. The mechanical black flag was shown and ignored. Doggedly he continued defending, dodging back and forth to cover Daly’s advances – dangerously so, it must be said.
With seven laps remaining things came to a head. Daly looked inside as the pair exited the tunnel, but Suranovich covered. Daly then darted to the outside, only to find his road blocked once more. As Daly started moving back to the inside, the wingless Suranovich began to brake. The American had nowhere to go.
He was launched skywards, crashing in to the very top of the catch fencing while almost vertical. A wheel was ripped from his car and flew skywards too, landing perilously close to another car in the Nouvelle Chicane. Daly, now a passenger, thankfully came to ground on the chassis before sliding in to the run off area.
He hopped out of the car, replaced the steering wheel, and calmly strolled away from one of the biggest accidents at Monaco in years.
After the race his calm attitude remained. He could have been furious, and perhaps inside he was, but outwardly he was in total control. “Hey guys I’m ok. Just feel bad for ART GP guys. Car was mega an (sic) I was having so much fun. But can’t help it when other people do stupid stuff,” he tweeted.
“I really really appreciate all the messages everyone! It’ll take a lot more than that to bring me down.”
Daly continued along the same thread in an interview with Will Buxton. “Every muscle in my body seems to be extremely sore and I’ve got a bruise on the bottom of my jaw but that’s no problem. I just can’t wait to get back in the race car in Valencia!
“The marshals at Monaco are fantastic and I’m sorry my car flying through the air put them in harm’s way,” he continued. “After I came to a stop they were all making sure I was okay and asking if I needed anything and they are true professionals. The F1 medical crew did an incredible job getting me where I needed to go and making sure I was okay as well. It gives a driver a lot of confidence when dealing with great safety people!
“Of course the car you have to compliment as well because it took a serious hit and was ripped to shreds but here I am alive and well! Thank you Dallara for proving you’re on top of race car safety!”
For his part in proceedings Dmitry Suranovich was excluded from the race, scant punishment for an accident which had potential to be so much worse. Not only did he disobey the race directors but he knowingly and willingly placed himself, fellow competitors, marshals, officials and spectators at risk in doing so. To take such liberties in motor racing cannot be tolerated, and simple exclusion does not send the right message to anyone in the sport.
Daly’s response however does. Showing maturity beyond his years the American’s behaviour is an example to us all.
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