Paris (AFP)
New safety measures are being studied after several accidents in car racing, including the fatal one of French Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert last August, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced on Monday.
To reach these proposals, "the FIA has investigated 28 serious and fatal accidents related to circuit racing that occurred in 2019, with the assistance of the ASN (National Sporting Authority) of each country concerned," she said. in a press release.
Among the many proposals, there is that of avoiding the dispersion of car parts during an accident with restraining cables and the use of composite materials designed to limit the dispersion of debris following the breakage of a part.
The "survival cell" which protects the pilot in the event of an impact must have its absorption capacities improved. "The process has already been started in Formula 1, Formula 4 and Formula E, and actions will be integrated on the next versions of Formula 2 and Formula 3," said the FIA.
In order to warn the pilots of an accident on the track, the FIA is studying the possibility of using the red "rain light" which is located under the ailerons of the single-seaters.
"The rain light or any other light installed at the rear of the car could be used to indicate the state of the circuit, that is to say serve as a + yellow flag repeater + located directly in the field of vision of In addition, the tail light could also be used to indicate to a driver that the car in front is slowing considerably due to an area under the yellow flag, "the statement said.
It was notably the arrival at very high speed at the scene of a previous accident on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit (Belgium) of Hubert's car and his collision with another car which had caused his death.
Other proposals include a reinforcement of the attachment system of the front wing of single-seaters as well as an alert system for the pilot in the event of a puncture. There are also plans to develop equipment, such as non-slip surfaces, to slow cars off the track.
"As in all accident investigations, the conclusions of our work relating to circuit racing serve as the basis for a whole series of technical and practical actions, as well to prevent serious accidents from occurring only as a result. mitigate the consequences if necessary, "said Adam Baker, FIA Safety Director, quoted in the statement.
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