Animal rights organisation PETA has urged Canadian Grand Prix organisers to implement stronger wildlife deterrents after Williams driver Alex Albon crashed out of Friday’s sole practice session while taking evasive action to avoid a marmot.
The Thai-British driver suffered a heavy shunt into the barriers on the exit of Turn 7 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a track notorious for its local groundhog population. Albon lost control of his FW48 after coming across a marmot on the track, sustaining damage to the right side and rear of the car.
Fortunately, Albon walked away unscathed but he was unable to take part in sprint qualifying.
“Alex Albon’s decision to swerve to try to miss hitting a marmot on the track makes him a winner,” PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk said in a statement provided to Motorsport.com.
“Showing both courage and compassion, he made the split-second choice to value the life of a vulnerable animal, and that wins him a place on the PETA podium.
Alexander Albon, Williams
Photo by: Jordan McKean / LAT Images via Getty Images
“Other species don’t understand racetracks or fast-moving cars—they’re simply trying to go about their lives. PETA hopes this incident will prompt organisers to implement stronger deterrent measures to protect the animals who call these areas home and the drivers themselves.”
Williams team principal James Vowles discussed Albon’s reaction to the moment with Sky Sports F1 following the practice session. “I mean, his initial reaction is obviously frustration, because he was quick, up on Carlos, and his pace was looking good – and he needs this session. In these sprint sessions, you get 60 minutes, that’s it, and to lose over half of it is frustrating,” the team chief explained.
“Back in the garage, he’s more worried about his mum that suspects he’s going to have to pay to adopt a family of marmots, because that is a consequence of that.”
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