The FIA validates the reinforcement of the roll bar over the driver for 2024

The FIA met today in Bologna, Italy, to present new measures for the upcoming seasons of motorsports, particularly F1.

In order to prevent any security issues with the safety halo, which is positioned above the drivers’ helmets in the single-seaters and protects them in the event of a rollover, the FIA has planned to increase the horizontally applied forces on the halo to test its fixations. The objective is to enhance resistance in case of a car rollover, as we witnessed this season with Zhou’s Alfa Romeo.

A significant increase in the required resistance of the “Roll Hoop” has been approved for 2024 as part of the commitment to continuously improve safety standards. Therefore, the testing loads will now be applied more horizontally to require a better attachment of the safety hoop to the chassis structure.

Zhou’s accident at Silverstone as a reference point.

Zhou’s accident at Silverstone this season was truly shocking. A single-seater overturned on its back, ending up outside the tire wall and circuit. However, the driver emerged unharmed. But the FIA, after analyzing the strength of the safety structure around the driver, drew conclusions and logical improvements are therefore being made.

Indeed, the “Roll Hoop”, this safety hoop located above the drivers’ helmet on the air intake chimney of the F1 cars, did not withstand the accident involving Zhou. It was the halo that thus protected the Chinese driver, acting as the last line of defense to prevent the 700 kg of the monoplace from directly impacting his neck.