OCTOBER 30, 2007

Medical movements

The FIA Institute has concluded its two-year programme to develop crash helmets specifically for young drivers. This involved studying data about children™s head mass, head geometry and the changes that occur with growth to find the best solution possible. The result is a new Youth Helmet Standard, designed specifically for the physique of two age groups: seven- to 11-year olds and 12- to 16-year olds, rather than concentrating on helmets that are smaller versions of adult designs. The programme was carried out by FIA Institute project manager Andy Mellor with input from motor sport medicine experts Dr Terry Trammell and Dr Steve Olvey.

We hear, incidentally, that there is to be a shake-up in the medical hierarchy at the FIA with Professor Gerard Saillant being given a starring role. It is expected that the F1 team will be joined by a doctor from the La Pitie Salpetriere Hospital in Paris but details are difficult to establish at the moment.

Saillant is a close friend of Ferrari team boss Jean Todt. The two work together to promote Saillant's ICM concept.