FIA has new safety requirements after investigation; Wings now 'tethered'

F1 News

11 May 2020 at 17:58
  • GPblog.com

After a series of serious and in some cases fatal accidents, the FIA announces that a number of changes will be made to promote safety. In particular, the design of formula cars will be modified.

In a statement on their website, the FIA claims to have investigated 28 serious and fatal incidents from 2019, including the fatal accident of Anthoine Hubert at Spa-Francorchamps. From now on the chassis' in Formula 1, F4 and Formula E should be able to absorb a harder impact at both the front and side. For Formula 2 and 3 the same will apply after the next update of their car.

In addition, they will be looking for ways to prevent large debris from breaking off the car as much as possible and flying around wildly. Just as with the wheels, the front and rear wing will therefore be 'tethered'. Something IndyCar already does.

Not only formula cars are subject to stricter safety regulations, but other racing cars and circuits will continue to look for more safety as well. They are still trying to find a better way to slow down cars outside the track. For example, they look at the use of anti-skid and high friction surfaces.