The FIA will publish conclusions and recommendations after examining the causes and effects of the Bahrain GP Romain Grosjean tragedy in November last year; Grosjean suffered a 67G impact and spent 27 seconds in the fire before escaping
By James Galloway
Last updated: 05/03/21 10:24 pm
The Formula 1 governing body is the cause of the fire from which Romain Grosjean miraculously fled after his crash in Bahrain last year.
The FIA announced its findings after completing its in-depth investigation into the aftermath of the opening of a Bahraini GP in November last year. Grosjean, whose car was split in two and caught fire after breaking the barriers, escaped with a shooting of the hands after spending 27 seconds in the car after a collision.
Studies have found that the Grosjean car hit the three-guard obstacle at 192kph (119mph) with a maximum impact of 67G. The report also explained how the badly damaged Haas car caught fire.
8:12 Romain Grosjean sat down with Martin Brundle at Sky F1 for an extended interview to reflect on his harrowing experience at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
“The car suffered significant damage during the impact involving the separation of the power train assembly from the survival cell,” the report read.
“The fuel tank inspection lever on the left side of the case was disassembled and the engine fuel supply connection was ripped from the fuel tank’s ‘safety bladder’; both providing primary routes for fuel to escape. from the tank. “
Driver safety equipment including “crash helmet, HANS and safety equipment as well as the survival cell, seat, headrest and Halo” was performed as expected to protect Grosjean.
“As a result of damage to the surviving cell and several parts within the cock’s environment, Romain Grosjean’s left leg was first caught when the car came to rest,” the report read.
“The driver was able to free his leg by removing it from his racing shoe leaving the shoe in the locked position in the car and then moving both the detachable headrest and his steering wheel to get the car out. “
The study, launched in the days immediately following the crash, included interviews with those involved, an examination of the physical evidence, an analysis of available video material , as well as checking the data from the car crash data logger and the driver’s ear accelerators.
FIA president Jean Todt, who heads the governing body’s Major Accident Investigation Group, said the “important learning” will “guide our ongoing mission to improve safety in Formula 1 and global motorsport”.
“The FIA’s ongoing commitment, particularly the Department of Safety, to reducing risks associated with motor sport has enabled Romain Grosjean to maintain consciousness and survive an accident of this magnitude,” Todt said.
“Safety is a top priority for the FIA.
The Grosjean crash was one of 19 serious accidents investigated by the FIA safety department in 2020 across different segments of circuit races. From these issues and subsequent conclusions, the regulatory body has identified an extensive list of areas for investigation for further safety improvement related to cars, rides, driver safety equipment, medical and rescue.
7:26 A look at how FIA safety measures helped save Romain Grosjean’s life after his horrific crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
These include studies of the possible improvements to driver gloves, reviews of steering column mounting requirements, background mirrors and surviving cell face geometry.
Grosjean spent three days in the Bahrain Defense Force Hospital for the first treatment of his injuries before being released to return to his home in Switzerland.
The 34-year-old, who was a 10-time p1 finisher in F1, missed what was expected to be the last two races of his career in the sport with Haas but has returned to the cockpit room a few weeks ago with the first IndyCar test as it prepares for a part-season in the American series this year.