All cars must now incorporate new side intrusion panels, with a minimum thickness of 6.2mm and constructed from Zylon and carbon, on the cockpit area, while the dimensions of the rear impact structure have been standardised to ensure improved performance in the event of impact with both the barriers and other cars.
In an event to prevent accidents by providing a better warning system, all cars must include a ‘track signal information display’ in the driver’s line of sight. This electronic marshalling system alerts the drivers to flags displayed around the circuit, and complements the traditional marshalling methods. Each car will also include a tell-tale medical warning light, linked to the data logger, to provide medical crews with an immediate indication of accident severity.
“The safety improvements for 2007 are extremely important," Symonds says, "Testing work last year showed that the side intrusion panels offer a major benefit in avoiding potentially serious accidents in the event of major impacts. The revised rear impact structure improves performance in two dimensions - improved resistance in the event of an impact with the barrier, and a reduced risk of cockpit penetration if a rear impact with another car occurs. And finally, the marshalling system is a big help for the drivers - and a much more effective, modern system than waving flags from trackside, out of the driver’s line of sight.”
Pit-lane speed limits have also been altered, and will be fixed at 60kph for the three practice sessions. For qualifying and the race, this will be raised to 80kph - albeit a reduction of 20kph over 2006 - and the additional time required for pit-stops may ultimately influence decisions on race strategy.
Race weekend:
Finally, the race weekend - already much tinkered with in recent seasons - has received another minor makeover, with the two free practice sessions on Friday running for 90 minutes apiece, up from 60, between 1000-1130hrs and 1400-1530hrs local time. Teams are now permitted to run additional drivers during these sessions, although they may run no more than two drivers in any one session.
