Even though a lot of work has been done to improve safety in Formula racing, this yet continues to be one of the most dangerous forms of motorsport. And every time a scary incident takes place, it always reminds everyone of areas in which there is a need for safety to be improved.
One dangerous incident recently took place in the FIA Formula Regional European Championship. Rookie Adam Fitzgerald injured himself after his car launched over the sausage kerbs. Following this incident, his team, Race Performance Motorsport, raised their frustrations.
FIA needs to find ways to improve safety when it comes to sausage kerbs
Race Performance Motorsport’s (RPM) driver Adam Fitzgerald suffered multiple injuries on his spine after he suffered a horrific accident on April 24. Soon after Fitzgerald met with the accident, his team boss Keith Donegan gave some concerning news about his driver.
While speaking to Formula Scout’s paddock reporter Roger Gascoigne, Donegan said, “Adam has three fractured vertebrae in his back. I think it’s in his upper back because if you look at the onboard the sausage kerb launched him over a metre in the air. And it was kind of sideways but also back”.
Donegan added that because of these injuries, Fitzgerald was forced to visit the hospital. The RPM driver was required to get a back brace to prevent further troubles. Soon after Donegan explained the injuries his driver had suffered, the RPM team also put up a post to request for the sausage kerbs to be removed.
They stated that such repetitive accidents are a clear indication that ‘these sausage kerbs have no place in motorsport’. Now it remains to be seen whether the FIA takes this into cognizance and makes any steps in improving safety.
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Adam Fitzgerald could miss a month of action
Because of his terrifying accident, Adam Fitzgerald could miss a month of action if not more. While doctors at the local hospital in Imola expect the RPM driver to be out for four weeks, team boss Keith Donegan expects his driver to be out for longer.
He said that it may just take four weeks for Fitzgerland to take off the brace and in order to return to action it may take as long as two months. If Fitzgerland is able to return to action in a month, he could attend round 2 at Barcelona, which takes place from May 19 to 21.
If not, then he may need to wait until the series races begin. The first series race will take place at the Hungaroring from June 17-18, while the second will take place at Spa-Francorchamps from June 30-July 1.
