Ricciardo 'disgusted' by 'disrespectful' Grosjean crash replays

A "disgusted" Daniel Ricciardo lashed out at Formula 1 for repeatedly broadcasting replays of Romain Grosjean's horrendous crash in Sunday's Bahrain GP.

The Haas driver veered off course on the race's opening lap and made heavy impact with the Armco, splitting the barrier before a massive inferno broke out.

Grosjean managed to extract himself and move out of harm's way but the footage - which F1 waited to broadcast until it had become clear that the Frenchman had avoided the worst - sent a shiver down everyone's spine in the paddock as team members watched in horror.

Speaking to Ziggo TV, Ricciardo criticized in no uncertain terms the multiple replays, insisting it was "inconsiderate" to Grosjean's family.

"I want to express my disgust and disappointment with Formula 1," the Renault driver said. "The way the incident of Grosjean was broadcast over and over, the replays over and over, it was completely disrespectful and inconsiderate for his family, for all of our families watching.

"We're going to go race again in an hour and every time we look on the TV it's a ball of fire and his car's cut in half. I mean we can see that tomorrow, we don't need to see it today.

"For me, it was entertainment and they're playing with all of our emotions and I thought it was pretty disgusting.

"So hopefully some other drivers have spoke up. But if that's not how we all really feel then I'd be very surprised."

• Read also: Grosjean accident shows 'this is a dangerous sport' - Hamilton

On the other hand, once it became clear that Grosjean was no longer in danger, the footage highlighted the vital role played by F1's halo cockpit safety device as well as the remarkable courage and swift intervention of the marshals on site and F1's medical team.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff argued that F1 was right to be transparent about the dramatic incident.

"If FOM is not showing it, then somebody else is going to have a mobile phone there and film, and you need to be transparent," he said.

"Those images were frightening and graphic, but if you're not transparent as an organisation, you're just taking the risk that somebody else shows stuff that is beyond your control."

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