The comparison to F1 drivers and airline pilots is a faulty analogy. F1 drivers can't be responsible for a loose wheel nut because there is literally nothing they could do to know about or fix the situation.
In this case, though, it is the pilot's responsibility to do a visual inspection before take off, which he clearly failed to do.
Of course they could be, they could hop out and check, but of course that task was intentionally and purposefully delegated away. You might be right about a visual inspection being the pilots responsibility, I am not privy to their actual checklist. But it isn't unthinkanle to have tasks delegated in high pressure high risk environments, and not all responsiblities fall onto the pilot.
In this case, though, it is the pilot's responsibility to do a visual inspection before take off, which he clearly failed to do.