Motorsport UK is delighted to confirm the F4 British Championship certified by FIA will adopt TOCA’s new onboard signalling system onto its cars from the start of next season. The latest in cockpit safety electronics are being introduced across the British Touring Car Championship and TOCA support series from 2022 and British F4 is one of the first categories to commit to the new equipment.
The onboard signalling system is a major new safety feature that will give Race Control a direct link to drivers, by replicating the light panel and flag warnings displayed around the circuit on the steering wheel display in the cockpit.
In addition to being able to display the full range of marshalling flags, the system can warn competitors of the deployment of the Safety Car and is capable of car-specific warnings, for example a driving standards flag displayed next to car #13.
This new initiative to help on-track safety is another important feature of the new-look British F4 Championship that will adopt the new Gen2 Tatuus chassis in 2022 featuring the rigorous FIA-mandated halo the first time this safety device will have appeared at this level in the UK.
Developed by Timing Solutions Ltd, the long-term timing and scoring partner of the TOCA package, the innovative system is set to be incorporated across the many championships that support the British Touring Car Championship. The new electronics will also enable Race Control to track the real time position of every car allowing the capability to monitor infringements such as speeding in the pit lane, overtaking under the Safety Car or not slowing sufficiently for yellow or red flags.
“This is an important step in the advancement of safety for drivers competing in both the British F4 Championship and the wider TOCA support categories,” said Hugh Chambers, CEO of Motorsport UK, the governing body for motorsport in the UK and promoter for the F4 British Championship from 2022.
“We are entirely supportive of this innovative complementary development that is enhancing the safety of those on and around circuits,” said Chambers. “These onboard visual signals are also crucial in introducing young drivers to the same safety systems they will encounter as they progress through the single seater ladder towards Formula 1. Being actively part of this new initiative will allow Motorsport UK to see first-hand how the technology develops and the broader role that such systems have to play in circuit safety going forward.”
