Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, says it is has begun the process of a detailed investigation into Romain Grosjean’s fiery accident at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Grosjean suffered a 137mph impact when he hit the barriers on the exit of Turn 3, resulting in his car splitting in two and bursting into flames.
Despite being in the burning wreckage for almost 30 seconds, Grosjean extracted himself before being assisted to safety by F1’s medical crew.
The Frenchman sustained minor burns to the back of both hands in the crash, spending three nights in a Bahrain hospital for treatment before being released on Wednesday.
The FIA confirmed it would launch a full investigation, in which it would analyse “all areas” including safety devices such as the helmet, HANS, safety harness, protective clothing, survival cell, headrest, in-car extinguisher system and the halo.
Further analysis on chassis integrity and the performance of the barrier for “impact of that energy and trajectory” will also be conducted, as well as assessing the role of the track marshals and medical crew.
Several aspects of data will be used as part of the investigation, with each car possessing an accident data recorder revealing the speed and forces on the car.
They are also fitted with an in-car accelerometer that is able to measure the movement of a drivers head in an incident.
Footage from multiple video angles will be used, including the front-facing camera, which can reveal the cause of an accident in slow motion.
It is expected to take six to eight weeks before the findings are publicised. The FIA will work with all the relevant parties, including the Formula 1 promoter, Haas F1 Team and the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association.
“As with all serious accidents, we will analyse every aspect of this crash and collaborate with all parties involved,” FIA safety director Adam Baker said.
“With so much data available in Formula 1, it allows us to accurately determine every element of what occurred and this work has already begun. We take this research very seriously and will follow a rigorous process to find out exactly what happened before proposing potential improvements.”
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