FIA issues its analysis of Grosjean’s 2020 crash in Bahrain
Just over three months after the accident, the international organization has published the results of its investigation into the causes of Romain Grosjean's spectacular accident in Sakhir.
On November 29, Romain Grosjean, who was then a driver at Haas F1 Team, was the victim of one of the most impressive accidents in Formula 1 in recent years. While the Bahrain Grand Prix had just begun, a collision with the Russian driver from AlphaTauri, Daniil Kvyat, sent him catapulting off the track limits to impale into the safety barrier a few meters away, causing his car to explode.
The quick intervention of the emergency services on site and a significant stroke of luck allowed to avoid the worst, with the French driver only sustaining minor injuries, especially on his hands.
On Friday, March 5, the FIA made public the results of the investigation conducted to try to explain what led to the accident. It also took the opportunity to specify the future measures taken to improve safety during the upcoming Grand Prix races for the 2021 season.
A more descriptive analysis than revealing.
We can note the primarily descriptive nature of the analysis carried out by the investigation. Indeed, the majority of it boils down to a detailed transcription of events without necessarily providing real answers to certain questions that may arise. The cause of the fire being one of them, or the reasons for the absence of safety barriers at that point on the track.
We had been able to retrace a few days after the accident in this 3D reconstruction of the Romain Grosjean Accident the different stages of the impact and the separation of the single-seater and finally the extraction of the driver.
The FIA experts were able to provide details on the impact angle between the car and the safety barrier: defined at 29 degrees, therefore less steep than initially thought. They also revealed that the maximum impact force recorded was 67G. In addition to this information, it was learned that the battery was cut in two and that it was this area that was most stressed at the time of the car splitting in two.
« The high-voltage Energy Recovery System (ERS) battery has been significantly damaged, with some parts of the ERS battery remaining with the powertrain and others remaining attached to the survival cell. » explains the press release.
« The fire broke out during the final moments of the barrier impact, starting at the rear of the survival cell and progressing towards the front towards the driver as the fire intensified.
As already imagined, the gas tank does not seem to have given in first. It is the various fuel lines or tank cap that gave way first, spreading gasoline which then ignited.
Measures for the future
Well aware of the safety issues in Formula 1, FIA leaders plan to use what has been learned during the investigation to improve race conditions for the future. Jean Todt, president of the organization, declared: “Important lessons have been learned from these investigations; they will advance our missions to improve safety in Formula 1 and in global motorsport.” Adam Baker, director of safety at the FIA, echoed the sentiment: “Accidents leading to such extensive fires are fortunately rare, so it is very important to draw all possible lessons from them.”
The improvements to safety in Formula 1 will concern the vehicle, the circuit, the driver’s safety equipment, as well as rescue conditions and care provided.
FIA concludes investigation into Romain Grosjean’s accident at 2020 Bahrain @F1 Grand Prix and releases 2021 circuit racing safety initiativeshttps://t.co/2VRQ671oI6
— FIA (@fia) March 5, 2021
Canal+ has also released a 3D reconstruction report on the accident in the Sport Reporter documentary.
