FIA Strengthens Karting Safety with Innovative 'Anti-Launch' Device

Safety news The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, has announced a new safety device has been developed by the FIA Safety Department to reduce the likelihood of karts becoming airborne following collisions.   At the request of the FIA President, CIK Commission and World Motor Sport Council, the FIA Safety Department developed the rear-wheel protection system that functions by preventing direct wheel-to-wheel contact between karts which can result in a kart becoming airborne or rollover. By placing protection over the rear wheel to prevent this form of contact, initial testing in both laboratory and track conditions has produced promising results.     The device will undergo further testing this weekend during its first deployment in race conditions in the Academy Trophy – Junior category at the FIA Karting World Cup in Cremona, Italy. Pending the full results and evaluation of this weekend’s testing, the FIA intends to roll out the rear-wheel protection device to additional karting categories from next season.   Throughout the testing and implementation phases, the FIA will maintain close collaboration and communication with drivers, teams and manufacturers to ensure the system meets the highest standards of both safety and performance.   Supported by the FIA Foundation, the anti-launch device is the latest in several safety developments the FIA has recently developed for karting. Karting body protection, light panels and helmet standards have been introduced in recent years and earlier this year Impact Data Recorders were rolled out to provide invaluable data that will inform future safety standards. The FIA Safety Department continues to research, develop and test world-leading safety devices and guidelines to raise safety standards across all motor sport categories.   Akbar Ebrahim, FIA Karting Commission President, said: “Safety is of paramount importance in karting and this innovative device to raise safety standards and reduce the likelihood of karts becoming airborne has shown encouraging results in early testing. This system could represent a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to enhance safety across all levels of karting and I would like to thank the manufacturers, drivers and engineers for their support during the development and testing of this new equipment.”   Nuno Costa, FIA Safety Director, said: “We’re constantly researching safety innovations across motor sport categories at the FIA, from grassroots to Formula 1, and wheel protection is a promising area of development within karting to reduce the likelihood of karts lifting off. Initial testing has shown that this device is very effective and we will closely study the results from the further testing in Cremona this week before seeking final regulatory and governance approval.”   ENDS   For media enquiries please contact FIA Sport Communications Manager, Omar Sharif: osharif@fia.com   The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility.   Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 245 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including seven FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all. Karting FIA Karting FIA SEASON 2025 Safety Circuit 1SafetyKartingCircuitFIASEASON 2025FIA Karting00 Thursday, September 25, 2025 - 1:11pm Thursday, September 25, 2025 - 1:11pm