FIA call for seat safety awareness
Thursday 22 July, 2021
The FIA is pushing for more safety amongst the seats of drivers and co-drivers.
Motorsport Australia is encouraging drivers to make sure they are positioned correctly in their seat when competing.
The call out comes off the back of the FIA’s recent push for safety amongst drivers and co-drivers who race in GT and touring cars, rally, rallycross and cross country categories.
Motorsport Australia and the FIA have reaffirmed that seat position plays a key role in preventing injuries in the event of a serious accident.
To ensure that seats provide the most strength and support, competitors should follow the best practice for installation of seats homologated to FIA Standards.
When installing a seat, the position of the helmet must also be considered in relation to the seat head support. If a driver’s helmet sits too high in relation to the seat, the seat may not provide lateral and rear head support to the helmet in the event of a crash.
FIA Safety Director Adam Baker believed it was extremely important for drivers to be aware of their seating positions.
“Real-world accident cases highlight the importance of competitor installation in the cockpit for the prevention of serious injury,” Baker explained.
“We are encouraging drivers and co-drivers worldwide to follow these steps to ensure the correct seating position.”
The three steps for correct seat installation*
1. Eye line must be below the top edge of the side head support, and above the bottom edge of the side head support.
2. Shoulders must fit within the side shoulder support of the seat.
3. Pelvis must be adequately supported by the side pelvis support.
*For a seat to be deemed fully functional and safe, the individual’s pelvis, shoulders, and head must all be supported comfortably.
