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LONDON, England - Formula 1 drivers are to get better protection from oblique side-impacts.
The International Automobile Federation said in its journal Auto that the new protection system was the result of a year-long collaboration between McLaren, Mercedes, Marussia, Red Bull and its own institute.
CRUSH PROGRESSIVELY
Research consultant Andy Mellor said it had "gone back to basics" in looking at side-impact structures using Robert Kubica's severe 2007 crash in Montreal as the reference point.
Current systems use crushable tube structures attached to the side of the chassis but these can break off during an oblique impact. The new version uses carbon-fibre tubes on both sides of the car which crush progressively and decelerate the car in a controlled manner.
The federation said the teams had agreed to introduce the system in 2014.
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 F1 season – fresh reports every day.
The International Automobile Federation said in its journal Auto that the new protection system was the result of a year-long collaboration between McLaren, Mercedes, Marussia, Red Bull and its own institute.
CRUSH PROGRESSIVELY
Research consultant Andy Mellor said it had "gone back to basics" in looking at side-impact structures using Robert Kubica's severe 2007 crash in Montreal as the reference point.
Current systems use crushable tube structures attached to the side of the chassis but these can break off during an oblique impact. The new version uses carbon-fibre tubes on both sides of the car which crush progressively and decelerate the car in a controlled manner.
The federation said the teams had agreed to introduce the system in 2014.
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 F1 season – fresh reports every day.