BMW mechanic suffers electric shock

Eurosport - Tue, 22 Jul 22:51:00 2008

A BMW Sauber mechanic escaped with minor injuries after suffering an electric shock during a test at Jerez.

2008 BMW pit crew - 0

The team were testing for the first time with the Kinetic Engine Recovery System following a successful shakedown using the system in Miramas last week.

The incident occurred when driver Christian Klien returned to the pits after his installation lap and the mechanic touched the car.

He was flung to the ground, but BMW said a medical examination revealed only "slight injuries to his left hand and grazing on his left arm" but returned to work in the afternoon.

BMW abandoned the day's testing to investigate the incident, with Klien having completed just three laps. They have suspended use of the KERS device.

The German team are among nine testing at the Spanish circuit this week, and will use Klien on Wednesday before race driver Nick Heidfeld takes over on Thursday.

Alex Chick / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 8 of 8

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  1. I agree electric car with fuel tank sounds like a recipe for a big bang !

    Ditch the fuel tank and make F1 all electric like Scalectrix !

    That really would be a teknological challenge to go 200 miles or two hours in an electric car !

    From Art T, on Wed 23 Jul 10:01PM

  2. @bowesey17 : surely the Saxo hasn't been the boy-racer car of choice for quite some time! :-P

    From Sam Kirkpatrick, on Wed 23 Jul 2:57PM

  3. It's likely the car was being pushed into the garage rather than stopping in the pit box, therefore no earthing strips

    From grahamnpotter, on Wed 23 Jul 1:21PM

  4. Maybe KERS means we will see the resurgence of those trailing 'earth strips' again. Halfords will be stocking up in excitement at the thought of all the boy racers copying their favourite F1 teams and fitting them to their Saxo's.

    From bowesey17, on Wed 23 Jul 8:00AM

  5. I thought the earthing strips placed in the pit box tarmac ( under the car ) were meant to prevent this type of problem. Obviously not !

    From rodney.bane, on Tue 22 Jul 4:34PM

  6. Who said Germans don't have a creative spark ;)

    From Rod, on Tue 22 Jul 4:31PM

  7. BMW why ?

    From przemyslawl, on Tue 22 Jul 4:27PM

  8. Does not sound a good combination to me a "live car" and high octane fuel

    From Brian L, on Tue 22 Jul 4:20PM
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