F1 Driver Somehow Walks Away From Crash Caused By DRS Failure

A problem with the DRS on his Sauber pitched Marcus Ericsson into a frightening accident during practice for the Italian Grand Prix

Monza is the fastest circuit on the Formula 1 calendar and as such, there’s rarely such a thing as a small accident there. F1 cars top well over 200mph on several occasions around the lap - including at the end of the pit straight, where Ericsson had his crash.

The problem stemmed from the rear wing’s Drag Reduction System. Drivers can open it on the straights, reducing drag and increasing top speed, in order to help with F1’s perennial problem of a lack of overtaking. It’s supposed to close automatially when a driver hits the brakes but in Ericsson’s case, it stayed open.

The lack of downforce coupled with a slightly slippery track surface from earlier rainfall sent the Swede spearing into the barriers and eventually into a series of rolls.

That won't buff out
That won't buff out

Despite the ferocity of the accident and the explosion of debris across the track, incredibly Ericsson managed to hop out and walk away like he’d just had a minor ding in a car park.

After a trip to the medical centre (standard procedure in all large accidents), he was back in the pit lane, giving the thumbs up.

If that isn’t a testament to the incredible safety of modern Formula 1 cars, then I don’t know what is.

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Comments

Anonymous

Of course the video is already down due to copyright claims

09/01/2018 - 08:11 |
16 | 0
Bring a Caterham To MARS

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Not to me?

09/01/2018 - 08:45 |
4 | 0
Jakob

This shows once again how safe F1 cars have become. If this crash happened thirty years ago, he would have absolutely no chance to get out of the car alive.

09/01/2018 - 09:35 |
70 | 0
Daksh Pat

In reply to by Jakob

the flip flops they call halo rings work!

09/01/2018 - 13:37 |
8 | 2
Mario LPS2

Car in the first photo. Just chillin’ in Monza

09/01/2018 - 10:10 |
34 | 0
ShadowHuayra (HemiPower)

In reply to by Mario LPS2

Ah yes Basic Instict

09/02/2018 - 10:14 |
2 | 0
MeBoosta

Monocoque magic

09/01/2018 - 10:58 |
0 | 0
CannedRex24

Team radio: okay marcus, take a left

Marcus: Okay

Team radio: wait I meant rig-

Sees crash

oops

09/01/2018 - 12:20 |
28 | 0
Griffin Mackenzie

DRS is such a silly system not gonna lie.

09/01/2018 - 20:55 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Barrier: I think Ericsson hit us

09/02/2018 - 04:26 |
6 | 0
Noah Hammerstad

That would scare the actual living shit outta me no lie

09/02/2018 - 05:41 |
2 | 0
ATOGI_28

I guess the invisible elephant fell off…

09/04/2018 - 15:46 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I bet you that after the crash, Ericcson would be like, ‘’How hard could it be??”

09/04/2018 - 20:32 |
0 | 0