When a racer's life is more important than a podium

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Audi Sport Formula E racer Daniel Abt was confronted with a rare and strange issue in last Saturday's Punta del Este ePrix.

The German driver had just undergone his mandatory mid-race car swap when his seatbelts suddenly completely unbuckled, for no apparent reason.

At that point, Abt was having a good race and likely on his way to a podium finish when the unusual incident happened, forcing him back into the pits to redo his belts before rejoining way down the order.

"Racing is crazy sometimes," he wrote on Twitter after the race.

"All my belts just opened up while running P3. No one can explain how that is even possible but I had to stop. My life is more important than a podium."

Looking back at the spectacular crash which occurred between Nick Heidfeld and Nicolas Prost on the final lap of the inaugural FE event in Beijing in 2014, one could not agree more with Daniel Abt.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.