Formula One’s governing body opened a study into Romain Grosjean’s Bahrain Grand Prix crash on Thursday as the French driver hailed those who helped him escape the fireball.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) also made changes for this weekend’s race at Sakhir, adding two rows of tires along with a conveyor belt at the turn three scene of Grosjean’s accident.
A curb between turns eight and nine was removed to reduce the risk of an automobile becoming airborne and also the depth from the barrier on the right side of turn nine was increased to four rows of tires.
Grosjean suffered burns to his hands after his Haas car split in 2, penetrating metallic barrier and erupting in flames, in Sunday’s race.
The Frenchman left hospital on Wednesday as well as in an Instagram post accompanying video clip pointed to “as soon as I noticed I was likely to live”.
He highlighted the professionalism from the marshal using the extinguisher and FIA doctor Ian Roberts.
“I told him he would be a hero, he entered the fireplace around he could in order to save me,” he explained of Roberts.
“I felt Ian’s hands pulling me within the barrier and knew I was safe. I recall every second of it and life should never be exactly the same again, but I’m sure to find the best,” added the driver.
“I met with death and that's the worst feeling I ever endured. But I’m alive and can enjoy every second of life and each small win inside a much better way from now on.”
The FIA expected its investigation to consider 6 to 8 weeks. It'll take a look at all safety devices, the way the safety barrier performed and also the role of track marshals and medical intervention team.
The body said hello works with F1, Haas and also the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), who had already been contacted for input. Grosjean is among the three GPDA directors.
Researchers also provide data from a driver-facing high speed camera, the in-car Accident Data Recorder and in-ear accelerometers that measure head movement.
The FIA said soon after Sunday’s accident the impact measured more than 50G, while Haas said the car’s last recorded speed was 221kph.
“With the much data obtainable in F1, it allows us to accurately determine every element of what occurred which work has already begun,” said FIA safety director Adam Baker.
“We take this research very seriously and will consume a rigorous process to find out exactly what happened before proposing potential improvements.”
