Federation Internationale de I’Automobile (FIA) have concluded and released their report into Romain Grosjean’s crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix in Formula One.
Grosjean escaped a fiery crash on the opening lap of the 2020 Bahrain GP which saw him crash his Haas car into metal Armco barriers at 140mph on the exit of Turn Three, with the car consequently bursting into a fireball as he escaped with significant injuries that weren’t life-threatening.
FIA consequently launched an investigation featuring interviews with those involved in the incident, whilst also inspecting the physical evidence along with video material and data gathered from the car’s accident data recorded plus Grosjean’s ear accelerometers.
This investigation was peer-reviewed upon completion by the FIA Serious Accident Study Group with input provided by Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, with the concluding report represented to the FIA Circuits, Medical, Single Seater, F1, Safety, Volunteers and Officials Commissions.
Findings were also shown to the World Motor Sport Council and will also be presented in the Drivers’ Commission on 23 March ahead of F1’s season-opener in Bahrain.
Accident Analysis
A formal investigation was soon afterwards launched with focus on Grosjean and then Alpha Tauri’s Daniil Kvyat, due to contact between Grosjean’s right rear tyre and Kvyat’s front left at 149.75mph as the Frenchman tried a pass from left to the right-hand side of the track.
FIA analysis found that the contact caused the rear of Grosjean’s Haas to lift and veer out-of-control into the run-off area along with Kvyat, with the latter safely re-joining the track afterwards whereas Grosjean made impact with the triple guardrail barrier at 119.3mph and a 29 degree angle and a yaw of 22 degrees from the direction of travel at a peak force of 67g.
Upon impact, the middle barrier failed whilst the upper and lower rails deformed which caused the Haas’ survival cell to pierce the barrier and ultimately come to rest on the opposite side, as the primary roll structure rested against the upper rail.
Grosjean’s car was also adjudged to have ‘suffered extensive damage during impact as the power train separated from the survival cell, whilst the fuel tank inspection hatch on the chassis was dislodged and the engine fuel supply ripped apart from the safety bladder of the fuel tank to cause leak of fuel.
FIA meanwhile adjudged that the following driver safety equipment performed in line with specifications in protecting Grosjean’s survival space and managed the forces applied to Grosjean throughout the impact:
- Helmet
- HANS
- Safety Harness
- Survival Cell
- Seat Headrest
- Halo
FIA also noted that the Energy Recovery System (ERS) was damaged ‘significantly’ with some parts remaining with the power train, whereas other pieces were found attached to the survival cell with the fire igniting during final moments of impact from rear of the survival cell through to the cockpit.
Grosjean’s exit consequently was reduced by the survival cell’s resting position and damage to various aspects of the cockpit, whilst his left foot was briefly trapped as the car grinded to a halt but he escaped by removing his foot from his racing boot and the dislodged headrest and steering wheel.
‘Those within the Medical Car…’
Stewards red flagged the race approximately 5.5 seconds after impact with the barrier whilst medical staff arrived on the scene within 11s after taking a shortcut due to local circuit knowledge and the ability to pre-plan in case of any such accidents.
Those within the Medical Car were able to react immediately upon arrival due to having decided on ‘pre-determined’ roles, with Dr Ian Roberts taking charge in instructing a marshal to operate the extinguisher around the cockpit as Grosjean was making his exit.
Alan Van der Merwe meanwhile retrieved a fire extinguisher from the rear of the Medical Car as a trauma bag was prepared by a local doctor, whilst Grosjean eventually escaped his Haas after 27 seconds with burns to the back of both hands.
He was immediately assessed at the scene and taken by ambulance to the circuit’s Medical Centre where he was subsequently transported by helicopter to the Bahrain Defence Force Hospital, where he underwent further assessments and treatment for three days prior to his release on 2 December.
‘Important learnings’ Gathered from Investigation
Speaking on the conclusion of the investigation, FIA President, Jean Todt is confident that ‘important learnings’ have been gathered from the investigation that will drive the quest to improve safety within F1 and rest of motorsport.
Todt also spoke of how progress in recent decades ultimately enabled Grosjean to survive the accident, saying: “The enduring commitment of the FIA, particularly the Safety Department, on reducing risks associated with motor sport enabled Romain Grosjean to maintain consciousness and survive an accident of this magnitude.”
FIA Safety Director, Adam Baker meanwhile pointed out that huge accidents involving fire are ‘rare’ like the one experienced by Grosjean, making it important to learn whatever lessons they can including interaction with ERS.
Baker also praised the medical team for their actions, commenting: “The efforts of those involved were heroic and have quite rightly been the subject of much praise.”
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