Paris (AFP)

"Important lessons have been learned from the investigation (into the accident of Romain Grosjean) which will advance our mission to improve safety in Formula 1 and in motorsport," assured the President of the International Federation (FIA ) Jean Todt Friday.

This statement follows the examination of the report on the accident which caused the fire of Grosjean's single-seater on November 29 in Bahrain, and whose conclusions (along with those of 18 other reports in 2020) enabled the FIA to identify a series of tracks to further strengthen safety on the circuits.

These include improving the fire resistance of the pilots' gloves (Grosjean having been burned with both hands), the functioning of the extinguishers placed in the cockpits, the extinguishers fitted to the emergency vehicles or even fire training. local stakeholders on the circuits.

The safety barriers, in which the Frenchman's car is embedded, are also examined.

However, remarks Todt in a press release, "the lasting commitment of the FIA, in particular the Safety Department, to reducing the risks associated with motorsport has enabled Romain Grosjean to remain aware of and survive an accident of this magnitude" .

Indeed, all of his safety equipment and that of his single-seater "worked as planned to protect the pilot's living space and limit the forces undergone during the impact" evaluated at 67g (i.e. 67 times his weight) , says the FIA.

- 27 seconds -

As for the accident, which took place at turn 3 a few seconds after the start of the Grand Prix, the report confirms that Grosjean was traveling at 241 km / h when he lost control of his car after contact between his right rear wheel and the left front wheel of Russian Daniil Kvyat.

At the time of impact in the barriers, its speed was 192 km / h.

The middle barrier broke, the upper and lower ones were deformed, her cockpit was embedded.

The "survival cell" (which surrounds the driver at the front of the F1 cars) and the engine part (at the rear) separated and the battery was cut.

"The fuel tank inspection hatch on the left side of the chassis was dislodged and the engine supply fitting was torn from the + safety bladder + of the tank," allowing the fuel to escape.

"The fire started in the last moments of impact, starting at the rear of the survival cell and progressing forward towards the pilot as the fire intensified."

Grosjean managed to extricate himself from his vehicle in 27 seconds, despite the barrier and damage to his cockpit which restricted his movements, including a stuck foot.

He was then taken care of by the staff of the F1 medical car, present during all the GPs and who coordinate the rescue operations, arrived on site in 11 seconds by taking a shortcut identified beforehand.

© 2021 AFP