F1 driver hurt in testing at Duxford...

[martin_a]

Obviously I was unaware of the seriousness of the accident at the time..

Much better than "I'll get over it"

Really does sound like a freak accident and given it's all fly by wire these days it should be possible to check what happened on the electronics.

Reading it it reminded me of Senna's crash, maybe the car failed in some other way?

m.

 

[Howard]

'Inexplicably' eh ?

My friends Gran did that in her automatic Rover 214 , it inexplicably shot forward and wrote off her porch as she was pulling onto her driveway.

Once the black box had been analysed , it was found that she stamped on the gas instead of the brake. I wonder if the same could perhaps have happened here ?

Get well soon Lady F1 driver !

 

[LTD]

'Once the black box had been analysed , it was found that she stamped on the gas instead of the brake. I wonder if the same could perhaps have happened here ?

I'm pretty sure that the pedals of F1 cars are separated by the steering column and that the drivers accelerate by using the right foot and brake by using the left foot.

 

[brucemillar]

Whatever happened it is clearly a shocking accident. I am sure that we will hear in good time what actually happened. They did say that she was simply rolling forwards in a coned off pit area ready for the mechanics who were all out ready for the car.

 

[Howard]

Ah ... well that would negate the granny post then.

Cars don't just accelerate of their own accord nowadays do they ?

 

[sgi]

Regardless of what happened, hope she recovers (it's easy enough to repair/replace the car).

 

[reason42]

Ah ... well that would negate the granny post then.

Cars don't just accelerate of their own accord nowadays do they ?

The suggestion is that ant-stall kicked in and this function automatically gives 50% throttle to prevent the engine from cutting out. Apparently newbies to F1 cars get caught out by this function.

It's just one of those accidents in the true sense of the meaning "accidental event".

 

[brucemillar]

The suggestion is that ant-stall kicked in and this function automatically gives 50% throttle to prevent the engine from cutting out. Apparently newbies to F1 cars get caught out by this function.

It's just one of those accidents in the true sense of the meaning "accidental event".

That would make sense. I also understand that is why most F1 drivers prefer to kill the engine or make sure that they are in neutral when rolling.

 

[Howard]

The suggestion is that ant-stall kicked in and this function automatically gives 50% throttle to prevent the engine from cutting out. Apparently newbies to F1 cars get caught out by this function.

It's just one of those accidents in the true sense of the meaning "accidental event".

Makes sense , thanks for that

Presumably its not meant to do this when in gear though is it ?

 

[DSM10000]

Makes sense , thanks for that

Presumably its not meant to do this when in gear though is it ?

Surely this is when it is designed to operate?

 

[brucemillar]

From another site..


“This sounds very much like the cars anti stall system engaged at the end of the run. Inexperienced drivers having their first runs in a F1 car can be caught out by this. As they slow to stop the car or make a low speed turn (for example into a garage) they lift off the throttle and let the revs drop. The ECU senses this and sets throttle to around 50% with the car still in first gear resulting in a sudden acceleration such as the one described.”

 

[Sp!ke]

Just a quicky...

It would make it a lot easier if posts that look like they may need moderating werent quoted.

Ta. :bannana:

 

[Howard]

I thought it was so that it didn't stall when in neutral ?

Otherwise you could be slowing down for a crash say , you get it a bit wrong , better to stall it than accelerate at 10000rpm into it , which is what appears to have happened here ?

Imagine when you were learning to drive if the car suddenly accelerated each time you nearly stalled it ?

I may well be wrong , but i can't see how having it accelerate of it's own accord when in gear can be anything but a liability.

EDIT , guess i'm wrong. Thanks for the explanation.

 

[DSM10000]

The car should not stall in neutral though, it is for when the car is moving off as in the start of the race or a pit stop when the driver may not get the clutch position and engine speed correct and a stall is imminent

 

[martin_a]

Ah ... well that would negate the granny post then.

Cars don't just accelerate of their own accord nowadays do they ?

My friend has a new motrobike (brand new) that has been back to the dealer three times because its electronic throttle occasionally opens up.

In neutral, even with the engine warm it will occasionally start racing the motor so when it is in gear the bike surges forward and is frankly dangerous.

They've replaced all the sensors, throttle etc and it is the same system they've had on the R1 for years (no wire all electronic). They are at a loss to explain why it keeps doing it.

Sometimes these things happen.

m.

 

[finisterre]

debugging software is an art.
and if if there is a change in hardware writing something new is never tempting.
adapting is much easier
but it carries hidden risks.

I would be crapping myself if I had written anything for Ms De Villota's ecu.
Horrible thing to happen.

 

[bpsorrel]

Cars don't just accelerate of their own accord nowadays do they ?

I thought Toyotas have been known to...

Anyway, I hope Maria de Villota fully recovers and soon..

 

[BTB 500]

Not a track to test an F1 car on IMHO

They were apparently carrying out straightline aerodynamic testing.

 

[GRAV888]

Wishing her well.

Latest statement from Marussia:

STATEMENT

“Further to the accident involving the Marussia F1 Team’s Test Driver Maria De Villota this morning, the team can confirm that Maria was transferred by ambulance from Duxford Airfield, where the accident happened, to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

“Since Maria’s arrival at the hospital at approximately 10.45hrs this morning, she has been receiving the best medical attention possible at the hospital, which is the region’s major trauma centre. Maria is conscious and medical assessments are ongoing. The team will await the outcome of these assessments before providing further comment.

“The team’s first priority at this time is Maria and her family.”

 

[Peter DLM]

Anti-stall also 'dips' the clutch and gives it throttle, this is why you see drivers stationary during pitstop leaves and slow away at the start etc, it certainly doesn't apply a boot full of revs with the clutch engaged, that would be madness.

I wish Maria a full and speedy recovery.