The Formula 1 and the FIA are constantly striving for increased safety on and around the circuits. This extends beyond protecting the drivers – the track staff and fans in the stands should also be able to enjoy a race without worry. To ensure the safety of all involved, higher fences will be installed on Formula 1 circuits.
These are fences as high as six meters, designed to protect spectators and officials at dangerous points from debris. The new fencing, which has already been approved by the FIA, is being developed by the Swiss company Geobrugg. The fences will be placed during Formula 1 events at high-speed corners, steep slopes, and stands. Circuits such as Suzuka, Bahrain, Monza, Interlagos, and Fuji already have six-meter-high fences, but these have not been tested according to the latest safety standards.
Stringent Tests
Under the new regulations, all circuits under construction must install this improved fencing. Existing race locations must replace the current fences as soon as they become damaged. The Geobrugg solution has undergone a number of stringent tests before it was approved by the FIA. For instance, a 780-kilogram ball was fired at the fence. Spectators can also breathe a sigh of relief; from three meters, the distance between the cables increases, preserving the view of the track.
“We have taken another step in the right direction to keep spectators and track staff safe,” Jochen Braunwarth, director at Geobrugg, told Paddock Magazine. “The greater height of the debris fence offers a higher level of safety against flying debris that could potentially fly into the stands. The balance between safety and being close to the action is delicate. The extra risk has now been brought under control.”
