| In a potentially high risk sport like Formula One safety is of course paramount. Throughout the history of F1 the safety for both drivers and spectators has improved immeasurably thanks to the efforts of dedicated individuals. |
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Cockpit Safety |
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At the heart of an F1 car is the monocoque or tub as it is often refered to. This one-piece section of the car, created from laminate panels which sandwich a honeycomb structure, protects the driver in the event of an accident.
The entire F1 car is built around the tub so as well as performing a vital safety role it also offers structural rigidity to the car. Rules laid down by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) on the issue of the monocoque are constantly being updated season by season to help improve safety and the creation of the tub occupies much of the time of a team’s composite engineers every year. |
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Clothing |
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It’s easy to see that a driver’s crash helmet is designed to protect the head in the event of an impact. However the clothing that the driver wears does far more than just display the team colours and sponsors logos.
Following the official rules of F1, as with any international circuit racing, drivers are required to wear not only a race suit made from three layers of flame proof material but also an additional layer of flame proof underwear consisting of long trousers, a long sleeved polo neck shirt and socks. In addition drivers are also required to wear a flame proof balaclava under their helmets as well as flame proof gloves and thin soled flame proof boots.
Thankfully fires are rare in modern day F1 but many safeguards remain. Due to the physical stresses placed upon a driver during a race the suits are designed to be breathable too. |
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HELMETS |
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Although helmets still look like their counterparts of the 70’s and 80’s they are now dramatically different. None so much as in weight - as late as 1985 a typical F1 helmet could weigh around 2kg, today they weigh as little as 1.25kg.
Helmets are constructed of several layers of different materials including carbon fibre, polystyrene and the same plastics that are found in bullet proof vests. The mixture of these fabrics offers the perfect balance between strength, comfort and weight.
The visor is made from a strong polycarbonate and is covered in plastic tear offs which can be removed while racing to improve a drivers visibility. The tear offs resemble large pieces of sticky tape.
Helmets that are approved for Formula One racing must undergo a series of rigorous tests and must also work in conjunction with the HANS device. |
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HANS Device |
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The HANS device or Head And Neck Safety device is a fairly modern addition to Formula One, having only been introduced in 2003. The principal works on the fact that although the driver is firmly strapped into the car, his head and neck remain unsupported.
The HANS device consists of a carbon fibre collar that fits over the drivers shoulders to which the helmet is tethered by two loose straps made of similar material to that of the harness. Although these are loose enough to allow free head movement for driving, in the event of an accident they prevent the drivers head snapping forward under rapid deceleration. This means that in the event of an accident the energy absorbed by the drivers skull and neck is dramatically reduced hence reducing the possibility of the most dangerous injury that a driver can receive. |
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Marshals |
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No race meeting anywhere in the World can take place without the assistance of track marshals, least of all a Grand Prix. Marshals are mostly volunteers who offer their skills for the love of the sport.
Marshals undergo rigorous training and can most often be seen waving the flags that signal messages to the drivers, other marshals can be medical, extrication or fire fighting staff.
If you’re interested in becoming a marshal, join the UAE Motorsport Marshals Club and earn your chance to be track side at the racing. |
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The Safety Car |
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A common sight to Formula One fans is that of the safety car. The safety car is deployed to control the speed of the racing cars in the event of an accident that cannot be dealt with under the yellow flags.
For 2008 the safety car was SL63 AMG Mercedes, despatched from pitlane in the hands of experienced German Touring Car driver (DTM) Bernd Maylander. Despite the AMG special modifications and its engine putting out 525 brake horse power (bhp) it still has only two thirds the power of today’s F1 cars in a vehicle which is three times the size and weight.
As its name implies the safety car’s main function is to assist in maintaining safe track conditions throughout the Grand Prix weekend. It is driven by an experienced circuit driver and carries an FIA observer who is in permanent radio contact with race control.
If an accident or incident occurs that cannot be dealt with under yellow flags and is not serious enough to warrant the stopping of the race – the safety car will be used to slow the cars down and bunch them into a pack.
The car joins the circuit with its orange lights on and all drivers must form a queue behind it with no overtaking allowed. The safety car will signal backmarkers to pass by using its green light until the race leader is immediately behind it, followed by the rest of the field in race order. Any lapped car between cars running on the lead lap must pass those cars and the safety car before proceeding slowly around the track to take up their correct position at the back of the pack. No car is permitted to enter the pits until all cars are lined up behind the safety car in race order.
When the incident has been dealt with the safety car will switch off its orange lights indicating to drivers and spectators that it will exit to the pit lane at the end of the lap. Drivers must continue in formation until they cross the start-finish line where green lights and a green flag is shown, then they are free to race for position once more.
In exceptional circumstances, such as torrential rain, the race can begin behind the safety car. The safety car will then release the cars to race when the race director in race control deems it safe to do so.
All laps completed behind the safety car count as race laps. |
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The Medical Car |
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One of the most important developments in Formula One has been the increased level of medical facilities available at the circuits.
At a modern F1 race there are doctors and paramedics stationed at various points around the circuit who are constantly on call. These teams are assisted by medical extrication teams who are specially trained marshals on hand to remove an injured driver from a car in the safest possible way.
In addition to the facilities at the edge of the track the FIA Doctor is always stationed in the rapid response medical car throughout the race and can be at any incident in a matter of moments. (Note: the FIA medical delegate is in race control during the race to coordinate the response, while the FIA medical rescue coordinator is in the car to coordinate action on site)
Every circuit is required to have a fully equipped medical centre which operates as a mini hospital during a race weekend. The centre is fully equipped with resuscitation rooms and an operating theatre. During a race weekend the local trauma centre remains on constant standby ready to receive any casualty either by air or road. A modern Formula One track is ready for any eventuality. |
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