Formula One's governing body has launched an investigation into Romain Grosjean's horrific accident at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has also made changes for this weekend's race at Sakhir, adding two rows of tyres and a conveyor belt at the turn three scene of Grosjean's accident.
A kerb between turns eight and nine was removed to reduce the risk of a car becoming airborne, and the depth of the barrier on the right side of turn nine was increased to four rows of tyres.
Grosjean suffered burns to his hands, after his Haas car split in two, penetrating a metal barrier and erupting in flames.
The Frenchman has left hospital and in Instagram video footage, he pointed to "the moment I realised I was going to live".
He highlighted the professionalism of the marshal with the extinguisher and FIA doctor Ian Roberts.
"I told him he was a hero," says Grosjean. "He went into the fire as much as he could to save me.
"I felt Ian's hands pulling me over the barrier and knew I was safe. I remember every second of it and life will never be the same again, but I'm sure for the best.
"I met with death and that is the worst feeling I ever had, but I'm alive, and will enjoy every second of life and every small win in a much better way from now on."
The FIA expects its investigation to take 6-8 weeks. It will look at all safety devices, how the safety barrier performed, and the role of track marshals and medical intervention team.
The body says it will work with Formula One, Haas and the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), who had already been contacted for input. Grosjean is one of the three GPDA directors.
Researchers also have data from a driver-facing high-speed camera, the in-car Accident Data Recorder and in-ear accelerometers that measure head movement.
The FIA says, immediately after the accident, the impact measured more than 50G, while Haas says the car's last recorded speed was 221km/h.
"With so much data available in Formula One, it allows us to accurately determine every element of what occurred and this work has already begun," says FIA safety director Adam Baker.
"We take this research very seriously and will follow a rigorous process to find out exactly what happened, before proposing potential improvements."
Reuters
