The 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix lives in the memory of Formula 1 fans as the race in which Romain Grosjean ‘miraculously’ escaped death. That race has now earned recognition outside the realms of Motorsport after receiving a nomination for a BAFTA award.
Written by Andrew Lwanga, Edited by Aiden Hover
The 2021 Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards Nominations have been released with the Sky Sports F1 production team receiving a nomination for its coverage of the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. During the race, a first lap incident involving Romain Grosjean and then AlphaTauri driver Daniil Kvyat resulted in the former being launched towards the trackside crash barrier at 192 km/h (119mph). The Frenchman was estimated to have hit the wall with a force of 67g or simply 67 times his own body weight.
Romain Grosjean’s terrifying crash
Upon impact, the car burst into a ball of flames, a scene unprecedented in modern-day F1. However, thanks to safety measures employed by the FIA – including the driver’s survival cell and the halo – Grosjean was protected from having a serious injury. However, he did sustain severe burns as he was trapped within the flames for 28 seconds before he could free himself.
As many at home sat worried for what felt like an eternity, the production team worked to relay relevant information as quickly as possible. They also refrained from replaying images of the crash until Grosjean’s state of being had been confirmed and only then did they proceed to show replays of the crash.
Romain Grosjean with Van der Merwe and Roberts
When the image of Grosjean sitting safely in the medical car was finally broadcasted, the remaining 19 drivers in the pitlane gave a round of applause. Racing resumed about 80 minutes later but the focal point of the race remained on the first lap incident.
The 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix is nominated alongside the 2020 London Marathon, England vs. France in The Final Of Autumn Nations Cup (Rugby), and England vs. West Indies cricket test.
The Virgin Media BAFTAs take place on Sunday the 6th of June and the Television Craft Awards on Monday the 24th of May.