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And damn lucky. Hopefully FIA will think the same as us and not become complacent about improving pilot safety.
If anyone’s gonna survive that sort of impact, though, it’ll be a fighter jet pilot or an F1 pilot. Not sure if I’ve posted it here, but my favourite explanation of the incredible calibre of these athletes is that the most extreme roller coaster in the world creates g forces below the average F1 race turn. Or something like that, point is these guys cope with those rollercoaster forces repeatedly during a race while manoeuvring cars that are more powerful, more sensitive and more aerodynamic than anything the layperson will ever experience.
Edit- can’t remember original sources for my numbers, but info I found today says average turn is 4-6G, top g forces above 8G.
Adhiero-
I read something about an improved race suit having been introduced this year which although heavier, it protects the driver from fire for 20 seconds, as opposed to the gloves which are still only rated for 10 seconds as was the case for the previous race suits. Yet another stroke of luck.
Definitely no time for complacency. I've kind of lost track of F1 since we lost free to air races so don't know who's championing safety these days, but we certainly wouldn't be where we are without the work in years gone by of Sid Watkins and Charlie Whiting.
ElGonzo
Maybe. It certainly explains why his head didn't snap clean off but just thought the forces on impact through his chest and torso might have been enough to knock him out. Remarkable that he was able to undo belts, hans, etc. and get out pretty much unaided, whilst on fire, after a hit like that.