A series of changes in security aspects were carried out in Formula 1 since the death of Ayrton Senna. Car sets were improved to prevent new fatal accidents from occurring. In 30 years, the category has had only one accident that led to the death of a driver, the Frenchman Jules Bianchiat the 2014 Japanese GP, which introduced other changes.
Currently, cars have structures that protect the driver’s body, from head to toe. The nose, cockpit sides and rear have reinforcements capable of absorbing impact in the event of a crash. Materials such as synthetic fibers Kevlar and Zylon have made Formula 1 racing safer.
In addition to the traditional tire barrier, F1 incorporated a new barrier a few years ago, called “TecPro”, which streamlined its procedure for assisting injured drivers and increased escape and protection areas on tracks around the world.
One of Senna’s demands on the eve of his death was limiting the speed of the cars in the pits. The idea was put into practice later and, currently, it is 80 km/h, with some exceptions, such as Monaco, where the pit lane is narrower, and the limit is 60 km/h.
Because of Jules Bianchi’s very serious accident in Suzuka, Formula 1 created a virtual safety car (VSC). If there is a minor accident or problem on the track, the cars slow down by 30% to 40% to prevent them from remaining at high speed even under a yellow flag.
The Enzo e Dino Ferrari Racetrack, in Ímola, underwent changes to its layout. One of the fastest and most dangerous, he returned to be part of the Formula 1 circus during the covid-19 pandemic, in 2020, after 13 years off the calendar. The circuit changed the Tamburello curve, where Senna died, to a chicane, forcing the cars to brake. The Villeneuve corner where Ratzenberger suffered the fatal accident also became a variant.
Among the main mandatory equipment for a Formula 1 driver is the Hans (“head and neck support” which means “head and neck support”), since 2003. It is attached to the helmet and supports the driver’s head and neck to The same thing that happened to Senna doesn’t happen with the impact of the car’s suspension arm, which hit his helmet and caused a fracture of the base of the skull.
The helmet and survival cell were improved to withstand greater impacts and reduce damage to the pilot in the event of an accident. The sides of the car were raised. Previously, the pilot had his shoulders exposed outside the cockpit, now the protection is greater. One of the main missions of the jumpsuit is to prevent the driver from burning himself if the car catches fire, gloves and sneakers follow the same pattern.
One of the most important safety measures was the adoption of the Halo after many tests and mainly motivated by the accident of Felipe Massa, in Hungary, in 2009, in which he was hit in the head by a loose spring from Rubens Barrichello’s car. The item only became mandatory in 2018 and has already saved some lives in Formula 1, including Romain Grosjean and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.
