Because Guanyu Zhou’s roll bar broke in the accident at Silverstone, the specifications will be tightened from 2023 – This could also have an impact on the design
Following Guanyu Zhou’s accident at Silverstone, the FIA has announced the first consequences. From 2023, stricter requirements are to apply to the roll bars of Formula 1 cars. This was broken in Zhou’s first collision.
At a meeting of Formula One teams’ technical directors at the FIA’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), this very issue was discussed on Thursday.
“The teams confirmed their willingness to introduce more stringent roll bar measures for 2023 and the FIA agreed to complete the relevant analyses and communicate new roll bar safety requirements to the teams,” the world governing body said of the meeting’s outcome.
Is the Alfa design under attack?
In the 2022 technical regulations, Article 13.31.1 specifies exactly what loads the primary rollover structure must withstand. “In addition, each team must provide detailed calculations clearly showing that it is capable of withstanding the same load when the longitudinal component is fitted in the forward direction,” it continues.
The latter passage refers to the design of the roll-over structure, which in the case of Alfa Romeo deviates from the classic hoop solution and is supposed to bring advantages both aerodynamically and in terms of weight. It remains to be seen whether the FIA investigation could result in a ban on this design.
At last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, AlphaTauri technical director Jody Egginton confirmed that the issue will be a point of discussion following the Zhou crash. “Because any time there is an incident that affects safety, we sit down as a group with the FIA. “
New load limits likely
“I think that’s really welcome,” the British engineer pointed out. “So we’ll sit down at the next TAC and go through it, and I’m sure the FIA and Alfa Romeo will be able to give feedback.”
“I’m also sure there will be a sensible discussion and we’ll see where we want to go with it.” Asked about Alfa’s choice of roll bar design, Egginton said, “The last time I was involved in a project that used one was in 2011, I think. I remember the reasons for that, they were very specific.”
“Of course we are all subjected to the same test and have to pass it, that’s a requirement. But I guess those are the issues that will be addressed in the TAC to see how we progress and how the FIA sees it. “
