Pat Symonds reveals how big Alonso shunt was!


Alonso driving!

By role
April 16 2003

Renault's F1 Executive Director of Engineering, Pat Symonds, has revealed how Big Fernando Alonso shunt was at the last Brazilian GP. As a matter of fact the shunt recorded bigger g (gravity forces) than the tests conducted by the FIA. The Executive believed that the HANS device worked extremelly well in preventing the Spanish driver further damage to his neck:

"Overall, I think the device worked extremely well. The facts of the accident were that after a relatively light impact with the wheel on the circuit, of around 4.5g, the accident data recorder indicated the first impact with the
wall was a 35g lateral and 35g longitudinal impact, followed by a second side impact of 60g. When you consider that our tests are conducted at 40g, that shows these were very big impacts. However, Fernando has suffered absolutely no problems with his neck, which is unusual in an accident of this magnitude. I think we can judge that the device did prevent him from a degree of injury, and we are very pleased with its performance".

A side impact of 60 times the force of the gravity is indeed a huge shunt and the fact that Alonso walked away from the car with only a few bruises and a couple of cuts prove how far the security of F1 cars has gone.

Bookmark or share this story with: