Formula 1 cars could soon be fitted with high speed cameras to aid in crash analysis from next year if the FIA’s latest proposal gets the go ahead.
Whilst the cars are already fitted with data recorders and various sensors, it doesn’t always give an accurate picture of what caused an accident.
Trackside cameras and onboard cameras are the first port of call, but they often miss some of the action, whilst onboard cameras aren’t always fitted to every car and they quality isn’t always the best when a high-speed impact occurs.
Following Fernando Alonso’s test crash, which wasn’t caught on any camera other than a distant, poor quality CCTV camera, the FIA has proposed that all cars are fitted with high-speed video recorders.
“For the purpose of accident analysis, each car must be fitted with a high speed camera which has been manufactured by the FIA designated supplier to a specification determined by the FIA,” reads an updated Article 27.2 of the Sporting Regulations.
“This should be fitted to the car during each event and all tests which are attended by more than one team, teams must use their best endeavours to ensure that it is in working order at all times.
“The camera must be fitted in accordance with the instructions of the FIA.”
The regulation will need to be signed off by the World Motor Sport Council before it can be officially included in the 2016 rules.
In addition, it will also ask that drivers wear in-ear accelerometers, which like the cameras, will be designed by the FIA’s specified manufacturer.
