Driver killed in high-speed crash at F1 Miami GP Circuit

The freeway running over the Turn-16 of the Miami GP's circuit was the accident spot that claimed the life of an individual.

Driver killed in high-speed crash at F1 Miami GP Circuit

Pitlane area of the Miami GP circuit (via IMAGO).

A tragic incident occurred at the Hard Rock Cafe stadium, home of the Miami GP circuit. Amidst the preparations for the following season, the accident has left officials wondering about the safety of the F1 tracks near normal roads. Such unwarranted accidents cause further issues to the image of the sport, over the safety of people around.

The victim was driving over the freeway that runs over the turn 16 of the Miami GP’s track. Due to the high speed of the driver, the vehicle hit the wall of the bridge and somersaulted onto the track. This accident immediately claimed the life of the driver driving the grey Dodge coupe. The approximate time of the incident was 1:45 p.m. local time.

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The incident took place on the southbound Florida Turnpike which further opens to Northwest 199th Street. The fire and rescue crew pronounced the man dead on the spot and swiftly worked towards clearing the debris. Multiple investigators are looking into the accident and working towards ensuring the safety of other drivers on the freeway. Such incidents could be fatal not only for common people but also for F1 drivers, in case of any contingency. Hence, FIA and F1 need to desperately look into the accident and ensure such cases are not repeated in the future.

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F1 working towards increasing safety in the sport

Formula 1 started as a very dangerous sport for not only the drivers but also the viewers of the race. Hence, F1 has been constantly amending its ways to increase overall safety for everyone in the sport. Multiple inclusions such as the Halo, The Head and Neck System (HANS), etc are some of the major ways how the safety of the drivers is ensured within the sport.

The Halo in an F1 car
The Halo in an F1 car (via F1).

Additionally, F1 circuits are including special types of barriers and run-off areas for the drivers during any emergency. One such innovation is The Steel and Foam Energy Reduction [SAFER] barriers that absorb the intensity of the impact and reduce it to a greater extent. Additionally, the TecPro barriers, replacing the older concrete walls have been proven to be a great method of increased safety in Formula 1.

However, such incidents do happen and cannot always be prevented. Individual drivers should also ensure personal safety and drive within appropriate limits. Even Formula 1 drivers adhere to multiple procedures before racing on the track. Hence, the fans of the sport worldwide mourn the sad demise of the individual recently.

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