F1 Madness

Tag: pit lane safety

  • World Motor Sport Council confirms FIA’s F1 pit lane safety clampdown

    World Motor Sport Council confirms FIA’s F1 pit lane safety clampdown

    The FIA’s World Motor Sport Council have confirmed regulation changes for Formula One pit lanes, after the council voted in favour of the changes in order to increase safety in F1 pit lanes.

    In response to an incident where FOM cameraman, Paul Allen, was hit by Mark Webber’s loose wheel, the FIA announced that it wanted to make immediate changes to the regulations and pit lane rules. These changes were set to only be made in 2014 but the WMSC has voted that the changes will be made with immediate effect.

    Starting from the Hungarian Grand Prix, the pit lane speed limit will be reduced from 100 kph to 80 kph.

    Furthermore, a rule has been introduced that stipulates that all F1 team members who work on a car during pit stops must now wear helmets.

    This is stated in Article 23.11 of the revised F1 Sporting Regulations: “All team personnel carrying out any work on a car during a race pit stop must be wearing head protection.”

     

  • Broadcast crews banned from pitlanes during all F1 sessions

    Broadcast crews banned from pitlanes during all F1 sessions

    Formula One broadcast personnel and camera crews have been banned from the pit lanes at all circuits, during all sessions – including practice sessions, qualifying and the race.

    This follows an FIA announcement yesterday in which the FIA stipulated that they would be clamping down on safety in the pit lanes following the incident at the German Grand Prix where Mark Webber’s loose tyre hit FOM cameraman Paul Allen, breaking his ribs and collar bone.

    The FIA have since their statement, sent an email to all TV crews and media that they will now be banned from the pit lane going forward.

    The FIA statement, released last night read as follows:

    Following a pit lane incident at last weekend’s German Grand Prix, the FIA has decided to take steps to increase F1 safety and is to institute an immediate ban on anyone other than event marshals and team personnel being present in pit lane during races and grand prix qualifying sessions. Access for approved media will be confined to the pit wall.

    Pit lane drama at German GRand PrixLast weekend’s incident at the Nürburgring occurred when, following a pit stop, a wheel became detached from the Red Bull Racing car of Mark Webber as he made his way towards the pit lane exit. The loose wheel struck a television cameraman who was hospitalised as a result. He is expected to make a full recovery.

    In order to reduce the risk of similar accidents in the future, the FIA, on the initiative of its President, Jean Todt, will be seeking to make changes to the Formula One Sporting Regulations. In order to effect this, the FIA today informed teams that the approval of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) will immediately be sought for two changes to the Sporting Regulations. Both of these changes have already been approved for 2014. However, for safety reasons, the WMSC will be asked to approve their immediate implementation. The changes are:

    1)    Article 23.11*, which will now require all team personnel working on a car during a pit stop to wear head protection.

    2)    Article 30.12**, which will provide for a reduction of the pit lane speed limit during races from 100km/h to 80km/h (with the exception of Melbourne, Monaco and Singapore, where due to track configuration the limit remains at 60km/h). 

    Finally, in relation to the incident at the German Grand Prix, the FIA is expecting a written report from Red Bull Racing tomorrow. This will also be shared with the other teams in order to help improve pit lane safety.

    *        23.11        Team personnel are only allowed in the pit lane immediately before they are required to work on a car and must withdraw as soon as the work is complete. All team personnel carrying out any work on a car during a race pit stop must be wearing head protection.

    **        30.12        A speed limit of 80km/h will be imposed in the pit lane during the whole Event. However, this limit may be amended by the stewards following a recommendation from the FIA F1 safety delegate. Any team whose driver exceeds the limit during any practice session will be fined €100 for each km/h above the limit, up to a maximum of €1000. However, in accordance with Article 18.1 the stewards may inflict an additional penalty if they suspect a driver was speeding in order to gain any sort of advantage. During the race the stewards may impose either of the penalties under Article 16.3a) or b) on any driver who exceeds the limit.