The Working of HANS system: Head and Neck Support System for F1 drivers

Modified Sep 22, 2012 12:29 GMT

The HANS or Head and Neck Support system is the most important safety device of a f1 driver. Introduced after the fatal accident of Aryton Senna the HANS device has saved lives of many racing drivers worldwide.

The HANS device functions just like a normal road car airbag. A normal road car airbag prevents overstretching of the head and the neck, apart from preventing impact with the dashboard and other objects.

The HANS system has two straps (indicated by no. 2 in figure) which are attached to the helmet. In case of an accident these two straps prevent the head from overstretching, thus preventing injury to the neck and the vertebral column. Without the HANS system the force of impact can break the neck just like a matchstick.

The HANS system reduces the force of impact by 86 percent and neck motion by 46 percent.

Here is Nico Rosberg‘s Explanation of the “Head and Neck Support System” for F1drivers