Response to Romain Grosjean accident Bahrain Grand Prix 2020
Date Added: 04/12/2020
Following the accident involving the Haas F1 Team car #8, driven by Romain Grosjean, Aero Tec Laboratories (ATL) would like to state its position on the accident and investigation.
At this point in time it would be wrong for ATL to provide comment regarding the fuel leakage that caused a fire to ensue following the car’s impact with the barrier. ATL engineers have begun investigating the cause and drawn initial conclusions from the evidence currently at hand which has been shared with the FIA and Formula 1.
ATL will be working with the FIA to ensure that all facts are understood with containment and corrective actions put in place at the appropriate time to reduce the risk of such events occurring in the future. All parties continue to strive to ensure that the safety fuel bladders are integrated into the survival cells of all vehicles in such a way that the risk of fire in such an incident is mitigated wherever possible.
It has been demonstrated that the FIA process of investigation of such accidents leads to effective risk mitigation in the future by various means. ATL wishes to support any advancements that may come from the lessons learned as part of this investigation. This ethos very much aligns with ATL’s own continuous improvement and safety centric culture.
Formula 1 uses safety fuel bladder materials homologated to the highest standard, FIA/FT5; a standard which has been applied to more and more series worldwide. This standard has proven effective in the harshest of environments and accidents including the World Rally Championship. To provide context, the standard far exceeds that of the highest aviation standards.
ATL will not provide further comment on the events in Bahrain. We understand that the fuel leakage will be considered in the FIA investigation, the outcome of which is anticipated in 6 to 8 weeks.
ATL wishes to take this opportunity to wish Romain and his family well and hope that he has a speedy recovery from the injuries he sustained. We would also like to thank all of the FIA team at the event and the other officials, health care workers and volunteers involved in his rescue and care.
[ENDS]
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Notes to the editor:
Aero Tec Laboratories (ATL) are world leaders in the design, development and manufacture of liquid containers and fluid handling systems. Capabilities range from metallic fabricated tanks and containers to moulded plastic tanks and fabric bladder type tanks.
ATL is proud to have supplied every Formula 1 team with safety fuel bladder tanks for over 35 years, also supplying the entire grid at Le Mans, the World Rally Championship, DTM and British Touring Car Championship.
Our award winning safety fuel bladders are designed and manufactured to fit the unique contours of every chassis and monocoque, providing the ultimate blend of safety and performance. Whilst this technology is at the forefront of the motorsport technology, ATL is proud to manufacture a standard range of products that meet the needs of grass roots competitors ensuring safety fuel bladders are affordable for all who choose to compete.
ATL recently won local accolades including Innovation and Technology Business of the Year and overall Business of the Year. Further awards have been achieved in our core Motorsport market, with awards in 2019 and 2020 from Autosport International including Cross-Industry Applications and Lightweighting, each for different flexible composite materials from our vast library.
Further details can be found by visiting www.atlltd.com or contacting [email protected]
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