A Study by the FIA Circuits and Safety Department This document indicates the development of Formula One racing and the corresponding increase in the number of race incidents, over the period 1963-99, in which unprecedented advances in the application of technology and aerodynamics to the cars produced remarkable potential for increasing performance. It shows for each period considered the continuous action taken by the FIA and the Formula One Teams in developing and applying measures to progressively contain the consequences of accidents, latterly achieving levels of risk which are minimal for participants and negligible for spectators. ACCIDENTS INTRODUCTION OF SAFETY REGULATIONS BY THE FIA CARS CIRCUITS DRIVERS ORGANISATION 1963 - 1967 GP races: 50 Estimated racing kms: 256,000 Accidents in races: 47 Injuries, drivers: 2 Fatalities, drivers: 3 Fatalities, officials: 0 Fatalities, spectators: 0 1963-65: Pump fuel only. Automatic starter; rollbar; double braking system; rules for seatbelt anchorages, fire protection, fuel tanks, fillers and breathers. FIA begins to organize circuit safety inspections (previously done by national authorities). Protective helmet and overalls obligatory. 1963: Flag signalling code. 1968 - 1972 GP races: 59 Estimated racing kms: 227,000 Accidents in races: 88 Injuries, drivers: 3 Fatalities, drivers: 4 Fatalities, officials: 0 Fatalities, spectators: 0 1968: Electrical circuit breaker; reverse gear; cockpit designed for easy evacuation; oil catch tank; rollbar 5 cm above driver's helmet. 1969: Two extinguisher systems; parts with aerodynamic influence must be immobile, fixed to sprung parts of car only; maximum bodywork height & width limits. 1970: Safety bladder fuel tanks 1972: Safety foam in fuel tanks; no magnesium sheet less than 3mm thick; 15W red rear light; headrest; minimum cockpit dimensions; combined electrical cut-off/extinguisher external handle; FIA/spec/FT3 fuel tank. 1970: Considerations on circuit design published: track verges minimum 3m.;double guardrails; spectators at least 3m. behind fencing; barrier between pitlane and track; track width, surface, and gradient change regulations; strawbales banned; mandatory FIA inspections. 1972: Circuit Safety Criteria published; debris fence specifications. 1968: Recommendations on seat harnesses, fire-resistant clothing, shatter-proof visors. 1971: Max. 5 seconds for driver evacuation from cockpit. 1972: 6-point harness. Drivers' Code of Conduct published. 1973: International medical card & examination for all drivers. 1971: Personnel, equip-ment and duties specified in race super-vision, marshalling, signals. ACCIDENTS INTRODUCTION OF SAFETY REGULATIONS BY THE FIA CARS CIRCUITS DRIVERS ORGANISATION 1973 - 1977 GP races: 77 Estimated racing kms: 446,000 Accidents in races: 250 Injuries, drivers: 5 Fatalities, drivers: 5 Fatalities, officials: 1 Fatalities, spectators: 6

N.B: the spectators killed had all penetrated prohibited areas. 1973: Crushable structure round fuel tank ; no chrome plating of suspension parts. 1974: Self-seal breakaway fuel coupling. 1976: "Safety structures" around dashboard and pedals. 1977: Pedalbox protection defined. 1973: Catchfences; rescue equipment; starting grid dimensions. 1974: Catchfences + sand. 1975: Marshal posts; service roads. 1977: Gravel arrester beds defined. 1975: FIA standard for fire resistant clothing. 1977: Helmets must be to FIA-approved standards. 1973: Fire service regs. 1975: Medical service; resuscitation centre; obligatory rescue exercise. 1974: 2x2 staggered starting grid with 12m length per car. ACCIDENTS INTRODUCTION OF SAFETY REGULATIONS BY THE FIA CARS CIRCUITS DRIVERS ORGANISATION 1978 - 1982 GP races: 76 Estimated racing kms: 399,000 Accidents in races: 283 Injuries, drivers: 3 Fatalities, drivers: 3 Fatalities, officials: 1 Fatalities, spectators: 0 1978: Bulkhead behind driver and front rollbar defined. 1979: Bigger cockpit opening; 2 mirrors; improved extinguisher system. 1981: Reinforced "survival cell" introduced and extended in front of driver's feet. 1980: Obligatory permanent medical centre. 1981: Tyre barriers; pitlane minimum width 10m. 1978: Licence qualification requirements. 1979: Life support system (medical air) obligatory. 1978: Grid 14m per car. 1979: FIA-appointed permanent race starter. 1980: FIA approval of medic. service obligatory; fast rescue car regulations. 1981: Grid 1x1x1. ACCIDENTS INTRODUCTION OF SAFETY REGULATIONS BY THE FIA CARS CIRCUITS DRIVERS ORGANISATION 1983 - 1987 GP races: 79 Estimated racing kms: 428,000 Accidents in races: 218 Injuries, drivers: 2 Fatalities, drivers: 0 Fatalities, officials: 0 Fatalities, spectators: 0 1983: Flat bottom obligatory; skirts banned; red light increased to 21W. 1984: Refuelling in races banned; fuel tank in centre of car. 1985: Frontal crash test. 1984: Concrete wall may replace guardrails. 1985: Catchfences banned. 1987: Criteria for temporary circuits. 1984: F1 "Super licence" required. 1986: Permanent FIA medical service inspector. Medical helicopter obligatory. 1987: Grid 16m per car. ACCIDENTS INTRODUCTION OF SAFETY REGULATIONS BY THE FIA CARS CIRCUITS DRIVERS ORGANISATION 1988 - 1992 GP races: 80 Estimated racing kms: 478,000 Accidents in races: 305 Injuries, drivers: 1 Fatalities, drivers: 0 Fatalities, officials: 0 Fatalities, spectators: 0 1988: Driver's feet behind front wheel axis; static crash test of survival cell and fuel tank. 1990: Larger mirrors; quickly detachable steering wheel. 1991: FIA tested seatbelts; FT5 fuel tanks; rollbar test; dynamic test of survival cell. 1992: More severe impact tests: water-filled fuel tank fitted to test strength of seat back bulkhead and 75 kg dummy fitted with maximum deceleration figure for the torso (also verifies harness anchorage strength). 1989: Trackside barrier min. height 1m.; pitwall min. 1m35. 1992: Kerbs lowered; pitlane min. width 12m.; pit entry chicane obligatory. 1989: Dope testing on IOC model, introduced. 1988: Permanent FIA race director. 1990: Driver extrication exercise obligatory. 1992: Safety Car introduced. 1993: Pit lane speed limited to 50km/h in practices. ACCIDENTS INTRODUCTION OF SAFETY REGULATIONS BY THE FIA CARS CIRCUITS DRIVERS ORGANISATION 1993 - 1997 GP races: 82 Estimated racing kms: 450,000 Accidents in races: 382 Injuries, drivers: 11 Fatalities, drivers: 2 Fatalities, officials: 0 Fatalities, spectators: 0 1993: Headrest area increased (from 80cm� to 400cm�).

Front overhang reduced (100cm to 90cm).

Rear wing height above ground reduced (100cm to 95cm).

Distance of front wing endplates above the flat bottom increased (25mm to 40mm).

Complete wheel width reduced (18 to 15").

Fuel regulations restricted to permit only fuels of a kind used by the general public.



1994: Wheels must be made from an homogeneous metallic material.

More stringent fire extinguisher regulations

Minimum thickness of the headrest 75mm, (no minimum previously).

Cockpit area side load test increased (from 2000daN to 3000daN).

Driver aids (traction control, anti-lock and power brakes, automatic gears) banned.

Four wheel steering no longer permitted.

Downforce reduced: smaller front wing endplates, shorter diffuser, deflector panels restricted.

Pump fuel compulsory.

10mm skid block under reference plane.



1995: Engine capacity reduced: 3.5 to 3.0 litres. Chassis must extend at least 30cm in front of driver's feet (previously 15cm).

Frontal impact test speed increased (from 11 to 12m/s).

All deformation after the test must be confined to the nose box.

Load in the nose push-off test increased (by 33% from 3000daN to 4000daN).

Survival cell side impact test introduced.

Obligatory automatic neutral selection when the engine stops.

Introduction of a stepped flat bottom.

Reduce front wing endplate heights (to between 5cm and 25cm above flat bottom) and length (must not extend further back than 35cm in front of the front wheel axis).

No bodywork (wings) above rear wheels.

Rear wing max. height reduced by 10cm.



1996: Front wing endplates min. 10mm thick to prevent tyre damage to cars in front.

Data storage unit to be within survival cell.

Higher cockpit sides.

75mm side headrests compulsory.

Static load test both sides of cockpit rim.

Size of rear "winglets" reduced.



1997: FIA Accident Data Recorder obligatory on all cars (ADR).

Energy absorbing structure on gearbox imposed, with rear impact test.

Energy absorption of steering wheel, column and rack must be shown by impact test.

Bodywork rules to exclude rear "winglets" and midship wings.

Suspension must be designed to prevent contact of a front wheel with the driver's head in an accident and to provide 120� articulation of the forward lower arms, front and rear, to help retain the wheels. 1994: Pits spectator gallery fire shield obligatory. Identification of 27 "very high risk" corners by computer analysis: 15 removed from list by 1994 performance reductions.

Tyre wall deceleration tests, analysed relative to human tolerance levels, produce a standard by which to judge new barriers.

Use of conveyor belting in front of tyre walls recommended.



1995: Smooth raised kerbs recommended for F1. Gravel bed waves and furrows deleted.

First pit wall debris shields installed.



1996: Corners classified "high risk" reduced to 2 through circuit safety improvements and track modifications. Temporary circuit wall and debris fence specification guidelines. FIA test requirement for 'thin' energy absorbing barriers.



1997: FIA circuit approval required for F1 testing. Kerb types and heights standardised after year of investigation. Bolted tyre wall construction obligatory. Analysis of the performance of safety measures with data recorded on the cars' ADR's. 1993-on: Severe end-of-race crowd control measures imposed. 1994: Approved helmet standards reduced to 3 most stringent (Sell/BSI/SFI). Ear - phones banned; weight 1800gr max. Check-tests made on clothing and helmets in use. 1995: 3-inch wide seat harness shoulder straps obligatory. F1 drivers Super licence criteria more stringent. 1996: Safety belt release lever must point downwards. 1997: FIA supervision of conditions for private testing. 1994: Pit lane speed limited to 80km/h in practice, 120 km/h in the race. Fire-protective clothing for all refuelling crews Burns treatment material in each pit obligatory.

Pit lane access new restrictions. Creation of the Advisory Expert Group, to apply new technology to safety in F1.



1995: Minimum safety services recom-mended for private testing. Clarification of blue, yellow, and white flags rules. FIA Doctor given Tech. Assistant. 1996: Standardisation of FIA medical and safety cars. Improved Safety Car procedure. Fire exercises with Teams. Transformation of starting lights and procedure. 1997: FIA approval for all Chief Medical Officers and medical centres. Revised accident intervention plan. Safety Car: more powerful; may be used for wet race starts; permanent professional race driver engaged. ACCIDENTS INTRODUCTION OF SAFETY REGULATIONS BY THE FIA CARS CIRCUITS DRIVERS ORGANISATION 1998 - 1998 GP races: 16 Estimated racing kms: 83000 Accidents in races: 60 Injuries, drivers: 1 Fatalities, drivers: 0 Fatalities, officials: 0 Fatalities, spectators: 0 1998: Overall width reduced from 2m to 1.8m; grooved tyres made obligatory, to reduce cornering speeds.

Single fuel bladder mandatory. Refuelling connector must be covered.

Cockpit dimensions increased; side headrests extended to steering wheel.

Mirror size increased, 5cmx10cm to 5x12.

Front roll hoop test introduced; survival cell dimensions forward of dash increased; side impact test speed increased (nearly 100% more energy), site moved forward 200mm. 1999: Engine oil breathers to vent into the engine air intake. A cable must tether each wheel to the chassis to prevent it flying off or contacting the driver's head, in case of accident. A seat which can be extracted with the driver in it in case of injury is mandatory. Use of beryllium alloys in the chassis is prohibited. Frontal impact test: speed and maximum permitted average deceleration increased (from 12 to 13m/s and 25 to 40g). Distance of the driver's helmet below a line between the roll hoops increased (from 50 to 70mm). Rear and lateral headrests to be 1-piece, with standard quick-release method. Asymmetric braking prohibited. The FIA Accident Data Recorder must also be in operation in private testing. 2000: Standardisation of removable seat fixing. Top of roll hoop 3 cm max. behind cockpit. Survival cell side height regulated. Survival cell side panel outer skin laminates must be made to FIA specifications, for increased penetration resistance. Static load side test in driver's leg area increased 20%. Rear impact structure minimum cross section regulated. 2001: Increase of the side impact test speed from 7m/s to 10 m/s. Survival cell side intrusion panels and penetration test introduced. Main rollhoop must be able to withstand test load also from rear. Obligatory Confor padding beside and above driver's legs. Second, identical, tether and attachments for each wheel. Front of the skid block chamfered. Restriction of the number of rear wing elements. Minimum front wing height raised 50 mm. Use of beryllium alloys in the engine prohibited. 1998: High performance tyre barrier test specification established.

Pit lane should be straight 100m before pits.

Increased use of full light sets to supplement flag signals. 1999: Pit wall debris fences becoming generalised. Recomended to widen the signalling platform by 50cm, for circulation, (obligatory for new circuits). Asphalt used on some run-off locations. 2000: FIA Standard for tyre barrier inserts to increase energy absorption. 2001: Improved access point protection. Clarification of safety requirements for structures over the track. Specification of tools to cut carbon fibre for rescue teams. Guidelines issued for paved run-off area installations. Computer aided accident risk assessment system introduced. 1998: Two shoulder strap anchorages recommended.

Driver must be able to exit and replace steering wheel, in 10 seconds. 1999: Highly visible gloves recommended for signalling startline problems. "Marshal information Display" lights system to be fitted in cockpit. Seat belts must comply with FIA Standard 8853-98. 2000: Additions to the Drivers' Code of Conduct, Appendix L, Sporting Code: defensive changes of direction; pit exit lines. 2001: All the extrication seats must be removable with the same tool (or none) and without cutting the seat belts. 1999: At least 4 medical intervention cars, + FIA Doctor car, obligatory. Pit lane exit control by red and green lights and blue warning flag, practice and race. 2000: Minimum Chief Medical Officers' qualifications. 2001: Redefinition of intervention car movements in Safety Car and red flag situations. 1999 GP races: 16 Estimated racing kms: 83000 Accidents in races: 60 Injuries, drivers: 2 Fatalities, drivers: 0 Fatalities, officials: 0 Fatalities, spectators: 0 2000 GP races: 17 Estimated racing kms: 92000 Accidents in races: 62 Injuries, drivers: 2 Fatalities, drivers: 0 Fatalities, officials: 1 Fatalities, spectators: 0 2001 GP races: 17 Estimated racing kms: 90000 Accidents in races: 58 Injuries, drivers: 2 Fatalities, drivers: 0 Fatalities, officials: 1 Fatalities, spectators: 0 NOTE: "Estimated kms" refers to racing only; practice sessions at events would increase this by up to 150% [ Back to Atlas F1 Front Page ] © 2000 Kaizar.Com, Incorporated.

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