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Spa GP2 and GP3: Ocean boss Tiago Monteiro praises safety after huge crashes

Ocean Racing Technology boss Tiago Monteiro praised the safety standards of the latest GP2 and GP3 cars following the high-speed accidents involving his cars at Spa-Francorchamps last weekend

Ocean GP2 driver Nigel Melker and GP3 man Robert Cregan escaped without broken bones in large accidents at the Pouhon and Raidillon corners. Both are set to compete in their respective championships at Monza this weekend.

"It was a really big impact in both cases, and they were lucky," Monteiro told AUTOSPORT. "Those cars are really safe. We can really praise GP2 and GP3 safety.

"To be honest, a few years ago they would have been in bad shape, so the cars are really safe and really strong. That has allowed them to be ready for another one!"

Monteiro has closely monitored the recovery of his drivers, and is optimistic of their return to competition in Italy.

"I have spoken to Nigel and Robert every day since the crash," he said. "They are both at home, just bruised and a bit sore.

"But nothing is broken, and in principle they are both fit to race next weekend. We are just waiting to sign the confirmation with the doctors, but it was a big scare."

The Tuenti SEAT World Touring Car racer was keen to avoid apportioning blame for the accidents. Cregan was involved in a multi-car tangle in the Saturday GP3 race, while Melker lost control through Eau Rouge in the GP2 event hours earlier.

"For Robert, it was just one of those racing incidents," said Monteiro. "In the case of Nigel, it was the beginning of the race and the car was touching the ground. Unfortunately, it was just too much."

In addition to the health concerns for his drivers, the Ocean team principal is wary of the tight timeframe to repair the damaged machinery imposed by back-to-back race meetings.

"Now it is a lot of work to put everything back together," Monteiro said, "but we have very good mechanics and engineers and they can do it.

"Unfortunately, there is only five days before we have to be ready to race in Monza. It is tricky logistically wise, because the chassis have to be sent to Dallara - tricky but not impossible."

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