The FIA has released further information relating to Jules Bianchi’s fatal crash during the Japanese Grand Prix last year.
The results of a detailed investigation, published in Auto Motor Und Sport, revealed that Bianchi lost control of his Marussia car at 213 km/h, and hit the crane at 126 km/h just 2.61 seconds later.
The car struck the crane at an angle of 55 degrees, with the nose diving under the rear of the recovery vehicle, allowing Bianchi’s helmet to contact the crane.
The force of the impact was recorded at 58.8G, according to the car, but the impact was made worse because of the angle.
Bianchi’s earplugs recorded an impact of 92G, however reports they fell out at a critical moment and therefore gave a misleading reading haven’t been confirmed by the FIA.
Speaking about the incident, the FIA’s vice president of the Safety Commission, Andy Mellor, explained the incident in more detail to Auto Motor und Sport.
“The problem was that the Marussia partly dipped below the stem of the crane, and was therefore pressed down from above by the underside of the crane.
“It worked like a brake, with an abrupt deceleration – and in this process there was contact between the helmet and the crane. We have never seen this before.”
