Formula One to introduce new side impact system

Formula One drivers will have greater protection next season from side impacts at oblique angles, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said on Monday. The Paris-based body said in its AUTO journal that a new side impact protection system was the result of a year-long collaboration between teams - McLaren, Mercedes, Marussia and Red Bull - and its own institute. [caption id=“attachment_904101” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Current systems use crushable tube structures attached to the side of the chassis but these can break off during oblique impacts. Getty Images[/caption] Research consultant Andy Mellor told the magazine they had gone “back to basics” in looking at the side impact structures, using Robert Kubica’s huge 2007 crash in Montreal as the reference point. Current systems use crushable tube structures attached to the side of the chassis but these can break off during oblique impacts. The new version uses carbon fibre tube structures fitted to each side of the car which do not shatter on impact but progressively crush and decelerate the car in a controlled manner. The FIA said the teams had agreed to introduce the system next season at a technical working group meeting in May. Reuters