Such is a side effect of telling stories- pretty soon they become reality with a life of their own. Facts will defend the dead. Facts that have been repeatedly investigated and innumerably questioned and still the answers stun us. This might even be something he'd do, too, they might think. Everyone minds when truth is hidden, but the truth never fails to prevail, eventually.
Somebody knows it, and it's usually just a waiting game as to when it comes out from hiding.
If rules have evolved to the point that an unsafe crash condition is a factor to the drivers, then changes are in order immediately, not lies. Guess they figure they're big enough and powerful enough to withstand the battle. Damage beyond imaginations and good reason is occuring in the midst of all the reports. Owners and team members, safety-vocal drivers, worried families are torn between who they work for or benefit from and whether they are being assured of safety, or have they fallen prey to a missed focus. Sponsors are suddenly aware of just how quickly they could lose millions in advertising dollars in one driver and seek to protect their investments.