Roland Bruynseraede
Encyclopedia
Roland Bruynseraede is a motorsport official currently occupying the role of race director for the DTM
series. He has previously worked as the FIA circuit inspector and Formula One
safety delegate. From 1988 to 1995 he was the Formula One race director.
Although born in Belgium, Bruynseraede grew up in Germany and as a result is fluent in French, Flemish, German and English. He initially became involved in motorsport during his spare time while he was working for Ford Motor Company
. In 1971, he succeeded Pierre Stasse as clerk of the course at the Zolder
circuit in Belgium. His involvement in the organisation of international motorsport events began in 1982. He took up the position of Formula One starter and circuit inspector before the 1987 season following the retirement of Derek Ongaro. A reorganisation of roles within Formula One resulted in him becoming race director and FIA safety delegate.
During his time in the role as circuit inspector, he was charged with the death of Ayrton Senna
by Italian prosecutors, which occurred during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix
. All charges against him were dropped, after it was established by the investigation that Senna was not killed by his car's impact with a wall at the circuit which Bruynseraede had declared as safe, but because a piece of the car's suspension pierced his helmet causing fatal head injuries.
He left his Formula One roles in December 1995, and was appointed race director and safety delegate for the new International Touring Car Championship. The ITCC was cancelled after one season, but was later reborn as the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
.
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters is a touring car racing series based in Germany, but also with rounds elsewhere in Europe....
series. He has previously worked as the FIA circuit inspector and Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
safety delegate. From 1988 to 1995 he was the Formula One race director.
Although born in Belgium, Bruynseraede grew up in Germany and as a result is fluent in French, Flemish, German and English. He initially became involved in motorsport during his spare time while he was working for Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
. In 1971, he succeeded Pierre Stasse as clerk of the course at the Zolder
Zolder
The Circuit Zolder, also known as Circuit Terlaemen, is an undulating motorsport race track in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.Built in 1963, Zolder hosted the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix on 10 separate occasions in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the 1980 Belgian motorcycle Grand Prix. The F1 circus...
circuit in Belgium. His involvement in the organisation of international motorsport events began in 1982. He took up the position of Formula One starter and circuit inspector before the 1987 season following the retirement of Derek Ongaro. A reorganisation of roles within Formula One resulted in him becoming race director and FIA safety delegate.
During his time in the role as circuit inspector, he was charged with the death of Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna da Silva was a Brazilian racing driver. A three-time Formula One world champion, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time...
by Italian prosecutors, which occurred during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix
1994 San Marino Grand Prix
The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on May 1, 1994 at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy. It was the third race of the 1994 Formula One season...
. All charges against him were dropped, after it was established by the investigation that Senna was not killed by his car's impact with a wall at the circuit which Bruynseraede had declared as safe, but because a piece of the car's suspension pierced his helmet causing fatal head injuries.
He left his Formula One roles in December 1995, and was appointed race director and safety delegate for the new International Touring Car Championship. The ITCC was cancelled after one season, but was later reborn as the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters is a touring car racing series based in Germany, but also with rounds elsewhere in Europe....
.