FIA release film after introducing bone-breaking Formula E saviour

The FIA has released a film showcasing the extensive investigation into how to prevent Formula E drivers breaking wrists and hands, something which had become a common occurrence. 

Robin Frijns and Sam Bird both sustained serious hand injuries in recent seasons, resulting in an investigation by motorsport's governing body. 

It has since introduced a steering damper which has, thus far, prevented further cases of drivers breaking bones in their hands or wrists following a front-end shunt. 

Prior to its introduction, it was discovered that a front-end crash resulted in the steering wheel to rotate up to 10 times faster. 

Changes were made following this discovery, including to the shape of the steering wheel and increased foam inside the cockpit. However, the new steering damper is the biggest step yet.

The steering damper absorbs the energy of the impact and also reduces the peak rotational speed in such situations by as much as 40 per cent.

For the damper to be introduced and validated, a lengthy period of engineering and simulations took place, with FIA safety director Nuno Costa, FIA chief technical and safety officer Xavier Mestelan Pinon and FE medical delegate Bruno Franceschini playing key roles.

Discussing the new steering damper, Frijns, who missed four rounds of Season 9 after fracturing his hand wrist, said: "Basically, I broke my hand inside the cockpit because I wasn’t expecting the steering wheel to suddenly come out of my hands.

"Unfortunately, I had quite some damage because I broke the bone in three places.

"My injury was quite bad, but the FIA is pushing hard to make it safer for us and they’ve made big steps from that moment onwards. 

"I think the steering damper is a very good tool. If you have a crash, the damper takes all the force away from the wheel so it doesn’t really move out of your hands anymore."