New concussion tests for drivers planned
Formula 1 medical staff will be able to make clearer judgements on the fitness of drivers who have suffered concussion, thanks to a new system expected to be in place by the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring this month, according to this week's AUTOSPORT magazine
Motor racing's governing body, the FIA, is in the process of adopting the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) system, developed by the University of Pittsburgh in the United States, and widely used in American sports such as NFL, baseball, Champ Cars and IRL IndyCar racing.
It works by testing various mental attributes of drivers when fit, then comparing them with those after a crash to assess his mental state. Working alongside the typical personal examination, which Jenson Button will undergo tomorrow (Thursday) after a practice crash at Monaco rendered the Englishman on the sidelines with concussion, it provides an objective verdict of the health of a driver.
BAR team boss David Richards suggested that new systems should be put in place in order to make decisions on concussed drivers in the aftermath of Button's crash.
Share Or Save This Story
What McLaren thought of Piastri's explosive F1 Hungarian GP radio outburst
How Norris shrugged off his first-lap error to deliver on McLaren's Hungarian GP pace
BTCC Thruxton: Ingram wins race three despite penalty to cut into Sutton’s lead
New Honda F1 engine to debut in Aston Martin filming day ahead of Dutch GP
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments