Formula One: Bianchi crash report out, speed a factor

Marussia driver Jules Bianchi during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix. Photo / AP

Jules Bianchi's heavy crash at the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix was the result of several factors - one of which included the driver not slowing down sufficiently under double yellow flags.

In a 396-page report published on Wednesday by a 10-man accident panel of the ruling body FIA, several recommendations are made while it was found that FIA and local organisers were not at fault.

Bianchi's Marussia slid off a wet track at the October 5 race in Suzuka and crashed into a recovery vehicle which was in the process of lifting away the Sauber of Adrian Sutil, who had crashed a lap earlier at the same spot.

In the report, summarised by FIA, the panel said "Bianchi did not slow sufficiently to avoid losing control at the same point on the track as Sutil".

It also said that "Bianchi over-controlled the oversteering car" and that the design of the Marussia car denied the FailSafe system to cut the engine.

The report said it was "not feasible to mitigate the injuries Bianchi suffered by either enclosing the driver's cockpit, or fitting skirts to the crane".

It rather made several recommendations such as a speed limit under double yellow flag scenarios, a review of safety software, a general F1 risk review, and a test for new drivers to be familiar with safety regulations.

Bianchi suffered life-threatening head injuries in the crash and was recently transferred from a clinic in Japan to a hospital in his native France.

The report said that FIA and local organisers were not to blame as "all rescue and medical procedures were followed, and their expediency are considered to have contributed significantly to the saving of Bianchi's life".

-AAP