Pirelli and FIA working on Formula 1 track-cleaning device

[Rob]

Wednesday, October 7th 2015, 10:51 GMT


Pirelli has confirmed it is working with the FIA in evaluating potential circuit-cleaning devices for Formula 1 grands prix.

Motorsport director Paul Hembery suggested track cleaning should be implemented following incidents during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, headlined by blowouts on Nico Rosberg's Mercedes and Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari.

Over the course of the weekend, Pirelli discovered what it described as "an anomalous amount of detritus" on the track that led to a total of 63 cuts in its tyres.

The FIA acknowledged a willingness to consider any safety recommendations, with the idea of some form of standardised circuit cleaning being reviewed.

"As you can imagine it's not actually our job to define the process," Hembery said.

"But given the discussions we've had with the FIA I believe there is a recognition that maybe there needs to be a definition of a type of system that is used to clear the track, in particular when there are incidents.

"That could be a certain type of equipment used around the world to allow a standardised cleaning procedure.

"It is something I know is being looked at and I'm hopeful that going forward it is something that could be introduced."

F1 marshals currently use brooms for sweeping away debris and pieces of carbon fibre following incidents.

In America, and at several European venues, motorised vehicles fitted with giant, directed fans are in operation.

"That is the sort of thing I'm suggesting," added Hembery.

"Maybe there is something that could be done, that doesn't involve massive expense, which provides a standardised process. Maybe a blower of some sort that can go on to the track when there are incidents.

"Some incidents do leave a significant amount of debris on the track, large pieces of car in some instances. It's something we've talked about for quite a while.

"In fairness, the FIA take these things very seriously and they are looking at some ideas and proposals."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/121188

[Greig]

A McLaren?

[SS454]

Whats wrong with a leaf blower?

[SilverSpeed]

[WS6TransAm01]

Jet Dryer Baby!

[The Architect]

A broom has been good enough for the last 50+ years. Pirelli should stop making excuses and fall on their sword.

[abbottcostello]

They've had street sweeper/parking lot vacuum trucks around for years, it's a pickup truck cab with a big box in the rear where the debris goes as it is sucked in thru the nozzle... whats the fuss,not a hugely complicated piece of machinery?

[The Architect]

They've had street sweeper/parking lot vacuum trucks around for years, it's a pickup truck cab with a big box in the rear where the debris goes as it is sucked in thru the nozzle... whats the fuss,not a hugely complicated piece of machinery?

Following the diesel spill this morning from such a vehicle, perhaps it's too complicated. Such machines are already in operation. I despair at Pirelli's excuses.

[Rob]

having these trucks is ok in NASCAR, and Indycar because the races so long and the tracks are shorter, well apart from normal tracks. In F1, there would have to be dozens of these trucks around the tracks at marshall points. Cannt imagine one of these, say at Spa, coming out of the pits to go all round to, say Pouhon. How long will that take to get there, then clear up the mess, then travel back to pits. We would be under yellow for so long.

Marshalls do great job anyway with the brooms.

[Hornet]

They've had street sweeper/parking lot vacuum trucks around for years, it's a pickup truck cab with a big box in the rear where the debris goes as it is sucked in thru the nozzle... whats the fuss,not a hugely complicated piece of machinery?

I think they are referring to the quick cleaning process during a race. When there's an accident and we have a safety car.

Right now, we are using broom sticks which have the advantage of agility, the marshals can quickly move in, sweep, and move out of the way when the SC train arrive. But it's not effective because it's using broom sticks trying to clean tiny carbon fiber pieces. We've talking about tarmac, not a smooth concrete surface.

A huge cleaning truck would be impractical as they are slow and will impede the track. Maybe they can design something smaller that can move quicker, so they can do the cleaning work during a SC period, and quickly move aside whenever the SC train arrive.

[TigerKing]

Jet Dryer Baby!
http://up.autotitre.com/ad30f0160d.jpg

Seen many working live at Petit Le Mans last weekend. Although effective, they are too slow for a sprint race like a GP.

[abbottcostello]

I'm not talking about the bigger ones or the jet blowers (above), something more like this:

This is a used one, on a 1991 Toyota 1 ton chassis, asking price $17,900 (US)

A friend of mine had a small business back in the late 70's with a similar setup, was able to drive down the road at normal highway speeds & cleaned up entire parking lots very quickly. Placed intelligently around tracks & used in combination with marshals using brooms, could probably limit to 2-3 passes at most. Can't see any mechanised solution that would be significantly faster. Even if a new one is 3x the cost of this, say $60,000 (~£40,000), seems well within reason & track could use them to clean up the whole grounds after race weekend!

[Giallo 550]

A McLaren?