Refuelling Safety Interlock in F1

[theriusDR3]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpxtmSY9Blc

RSI theory currently applied in IndyCar Series as a safety refuelling method to avoid fuel spilling in case of fire. F1 should apply that theory if refuelling in F1 reintroduced.

Every year, as a result of human error or mechanical malfunction, there are instances of drivers leaving their pit boxes with the refueling hose attached to the car. All of these incidents create the potential for a fire in the pits and injuries to the driver, crew members, or others in the pit-lane area. It was just such an incident – one that resulted in serious injuries during an Hockenheim F1 race in 1994, Singapore F1 race in 2008 and Brazil F1 race in 2009 – that led to the development of this system.

The system is designed to reduce the potential for pit fires and injuries resulting from drivers leaving their pit boxes with refueling equipment still attached.

At the heart of the system is a fuel-probe electronic sensor, installed in the refueling "buckeye" – or inlet valve – on an every F1 chassis. When the sensor detects a connection between the pit-lane refueling nozzle and the buckeye, software in the Engine Control Unit signals the Gearbox Control Unit to place, or hold, the transmission in ‘Neutral’, and prevents the driver from leaving the pit lane before the refueling hose is detached from the car.
Sequence of Operation

1. Car comes into pits and stops for refueling. Refueling nozzle is inserted.
2. Photoelectric sensor in fuel "buckeye" detects engagement of refueling nozzle.
3. Engine Control Unit (ECU) commands Gearbox Control Unit (GCU) to shift and hold transmission in neutral.
4. All paddle-shift requests are ignored during refueling.
5. Refueling is complete; nozzle is removed and no longer detected by the sensor.
6. Driver can now select first gear and leave the pits.

[ojlopez]

My only concern would be that some dirt or any other thing might accumulate over the sensor preventing the driver to shift into gear even if the hose has been already removed.

[DiogoBrand]

This kind of idea has been considered before, but people say "you shouldn't take control of the car away from the driver".

In my opinion there's a simpler solution: Allow tyres to be changed only after refuelling is complete and the hose detached. That way it's pretty much impossible for the driver to leave during refueling and cause a safety concern. Of course, pitstops would take around 2 seconds longer, but at least we wouldn't see those lame accidents we were used to.

[BanMeToo]

This kind of idea has been considered before, but people say "you shouldn't take control of the car away from the driver".

In my opinion there's a simpler solution: Allow tyres to be changed only after refuelling is complete and the hose detached. That way it's pretty much impossible for the driver to leave during refueling and cause a safety concern. Of course, pitstops would take around 2 seconds longer, but at least we wouldn't see those lame accidents we were used to.

That seems like a pretty good idea.

[1158]

This kind of idea has been considered before, but people say "you shouldn't take control of the car away from the driver".

In my opinion there's a simpler solution: Allow tyres to be changed only after refuelling is complete and the hose detached. That way it's pretty much impossible for the driver to leave during refueling and cause a safety concern. Of course, pitstops would take around 2 seconds longer, but at least we wouldn't see those lame accidents we were used to.

That seems like a pretty good idea.

What if it's a fuel only stop?

Maybe ditch the manual jacks and go to integrated hydraulic jacks that will only allow the car to be lowered once the fuel hose has been removed and all 4 wheels are secured properly on the hub. That would also remove 2 people from the pit lane.

Driver arrives in the box, activates the jack. Car raises and fuel is added and/or tyres changed. Sensors detect all wheels on all hubs properly and no fuel hose present then drops the car with a red or green light on the steering wheel signalling the driver may or may not exit the box. Release lights could even be automatically controlled by the FIA timing.

I'm sure holes can be found in that idea too.

[Cold Fussion]

This kind of idea has been considered before, but people say "you shouldn't take control of the car away from the driver".

In my opinion there's a simpler solution: Allow tyres to be changed only after refuelling is complete and the hose detached. That way it's pretty much impossible for the driver to leave during refueling and cause a safety concern. Of course, pitstops would take around 2 seconds longer, but at least we wouldn't see those lame accidents we were used to.

That seems like a pretty good idea.

What if it's a fuel only stop?

In F1 (especially with Pirelli tyres) I don't think you'll ever see a fuel stop without tyres being changed for the sake of saving 2 seconds; but perhaps you could mandate that any fuel stop requires a change of tyres to avoid said problems.