8 Big Modern Formula 1 Crashes

4. Felipe Massa €“ Hungary 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhz2Tpl7ZVs Whilst this accident may seem a little innocuous, it highlighted a serious issue with open-seat racing and danger of debris. Just prior to the throttle drop, you can see an item in the air. This was actually a suspension spring from the rear of Rubens Barrichello€™s Brawn car, weighing about 1kg, which had flown off hundreds of metres ahead during qualifying. Somehow, it continued to bounce along the track, and then was in the air when Felipe Massa struck it doing around 160mph, with the spring hitting him above the left eye, smashing his helmet and almost knocking him out, leaving him unable to brake until just short of the barriers. He was airlifted to hospital following the incident, and placed in a medically induced coma. Implications This accident put Felipe Massa out for the rest of the 2009 season, and he has never quite been on the same form since. Following his heartbreakingly close 2008 season, he was in great form and looking to bring Ferrari their first win of the season in a car somewhat off the pace prior to this. This incident also occurred just a week after the tragic death of Henry Surtees, son of the legendary John Surtees, in Formula 2 at Brands Hatch, who also suffered head injuries caused by debris. He was struck by a wheel, which had broken its safety tether from another accident and bounced back into the path of the drivers. Together, these two incidents reopened the debate into the safety of open-seat racing, and the protection needed for drivers. Formula 1 is still discussing a move towards protective devices for their cars, with prototype devices being developed now.
In this post: 
F1
 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Self-confessed Geek; Aerospace Engineer with a passion for Formula 1, Engineering, Science and Cinema.