How will the Jules Bianchi crash affect the future of Formula One?
In 2014, 25-year-old French Marussia driver Jules Bianchi crashed at Suzuka during the Japanese Grand Prix, leaving him with serious brain injuries.
17:13 19 February 2015
In 2014, 25-year-old French Marussia driver Jules Bianchi lost control and crashed at the same spot where Adrian Sutil had crashed his Sauber on the previous lap. Much discussion has taken place about whether anything could or should have been done differently, and what changes can be made to prevent such an accident recurring.
Safety concerns have been raised regarding driving conditions that day, and if the weather and impending sunset hampered Bianchi’s visibility. Suggestions have been made that the race should have been postponed, and that the correct safety procedures were not followed. Discussion has even taken place about enclosing the driver’s cockpit to offer more protection, though the Accident Panel appointed by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) found that this is not practical.
Conditions on the day of the race
Conditions were difficult with heavy cloud, rain and less than an hour until sunset, so visibility was becoming poor. The FIA concluded that Bianchi did not slow down sufficiently and, as a result, his car crashed into a crane which was recovering Sutil’s Sauber. His helmet made contact with the underside of the crane. Conflict in the Marussia’s brake system may have hindered Bianchi’s efforts to slow down.
Max Mosley has said that everything was done as it should have been on the day of the crash and that no-one was at fault. Mosley was President of the FIA between 1993 and 2009. He has been extremely influential in implementing safety measures in motorsport over the years, promoting road safety and the use of green technology. He formed the Expert Advisory Safety Committee to research and find solutions for major safety issues; led a successful campaign to modernise EU crash-test standards after the death of Ayrton Senna; promoted the European New Car Assessment Programme (the independent crash-test organisation); formed and served as Chairman of the Formula One Safety Commission; launched Formula Zero, a strategy for reducing fatalities and injuries on both track and road; served as a trustee for a charity promoting road safety, environmental protection and safety worldwide; and in 2004, he proposed the establishment of the FIA Institute for Motor Sport Safety & Sustainability.
Changes to the future of F1
In the wake of Bianchi’s accident, the FIA Accident Panel recommended changes to the use of double-waved yellow flags, which are raised to alert cars immediately behind a vehicle that has crashed. A proposal was made to appoint a working group to draw up regulations and guidelines to impose a speed limit in any section of the track where double yellow flags are displayed. Other recommendations were to improve track drainage, change race schedules to avoid rainy seasons, and to ensure wet weather tyres are tested adequately between each F1 season so that drivers can take advantage of the latest developments.
Safety is an ongoing concern, and research and development continues. The FIA carries on with its work in this respect, and Max Mosley continues to contribute to issues surrounding the sport, contributing with the benefit of his wealth of knowledge and experience.