After Zhou's accident, the roll bar will be reinforced in 2023

As with every accident in Formula 1, the FIA ​​will learn lessons from that of Guanyu-Zhou at Silverstone. The Chinese pilot thus saw the arch of his Alfa Romeo tear away when car, rolled over after a collision with George Russell (Mercedes), touched the ground at the start of the 2022 British Grand Prix.

Frédéric Vasseur, Director of Alfa Romeo in Formula 1, shared some elements of the investigation carried out by the International Automobile Federation (FIA). “The investigation is ongoing and we are sharing all information about the accident with the FIA, explained the Frenchman. The first information is that the impact was twice as strong as the regulatory crash test load. I don't know if you look at the tarmac, but it dug a groove in the asphalt, four or five centimeters. »

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Meeting on Thursday, the Technical Advisory Committee studied the question. “The TAC also discussed the serious incident involving Guanyu Zhou at Silverstone, thus indicates the FIA. Teams have confirmed their readiness to introduce stricter roll bar measures for 2023. The FIA ​​has committed to completing relevant analyses, and communicating new roll bar safety requirements to teams . »

Article 13.3.1 of the Technical Regulations of the Formula 1 indicates how the hoop's strength tests are tested as well as the loads it can withstand without giving way. “ No matter how high the crash test is, you can always get a higher shock (in reality), explained Frédéric Vasseur. Of course, we will have to act on our own and with the FIA ​​to see how we can improve safety. »

The FIA ​​also explained how it plans to control porpoising in 2023.