Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsSafety

New FIA on-board crash camera to be tested

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A new high-speed camera destined to provide driver footage and data in the event of an accident will be tested in the very near future.

Developped by Magnetti Marelli, the USB stick-sized device, which the FIA intends to make mandatory from 2016, shall be fitted to the front of the cockpit and will look back at the driver.

The camera's technology will record at 400 frames a second for up to 90 minutes before it starts a new loop. Valuable information shall be stored as telemetry data into a car's black box, and help engineers precisely determine a force and point of impact.

According to the governing body, the concept should greatly help with the analysis and investigation of any eventual accident or incident, such as Fernando Alonso's pre-season testing mishap.

"We've had onboard footage of crashes for a long time which has been useful," said Andy Mellor, the FIA Institute's technical advisor. "But of course it's all low speed and it doesn't really show what happened to the driver during the milliseconds of that impact event."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.