Some of the world's best drivers gathered to take part in the first eSafety Challenge event in Rome on 8 September 2009. Formula 1 stars Heikki Kovalainen, Robert Kubica, Timo Glock, and Giancarlo Fisichella joined forces with Tom Kristensen, eight-time 24 Hour Le Mans winner and Susie Stoddart from the German Touring Car series, to demonstrate five different eSafety technologies:
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Lane Support Systems
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Speed Alert
• Warning and Emergency Braking Systems
Having tried out the technologies, the drivers declared themselves impressed with the efficacy of the systems:
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Timo Glock, Formula 1 driver, on Warning and Emergency Braking:
“It is a great driver aid to have if you suddenly are forced to make an emergency braking. At first you get surprised by the reaction of the car but after the first experience you have the feeling that the car is more intelligent than normal cars and that it is kind of looking out for dangers ahead.”
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Robert Kubica, Formula 1 driver, on Blind Spot Monitoring:
“Blind Spot Monitoring can support you in various traffic situations such as when you have an overtaking vehicle stuck in the blind spot as well as if two vehicles are converging into the same lane. It does not have an active reaction as some of the other systems we have seen now but it is still a useful support giving you an important warning.” |
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Tom Kristensen, eight-time 24 Hour Le Mans winner, on Lane Support Systems:
“When you are driving on longer road stretched then you get reminded if you are drifting out of your lane. It makes your driving very comfortable as the system is not disturbing your driving but is making it more smooth and relaxed.” |
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Susie Stoddart, racing driver for Mercedes-Benz in DTM, on Speed Alert:
“I often get in doubt what the speed limit is on the particular road stretch I’m driving. I find it very useful to get that information on the dashboard. Many drivers get fined for speeding, not because they want to drive too fast but because they just miss the sign telling them that the speed limit has changed for the next 500 meters or so. Normally there is a safety reason to why the speed limit is what it is, so keeping that limit makes driving safer for all of us |
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F1 driver Heikki Kovalainen who demonstrated the ESC system for trucks was highly impressed: “On a slippery surface, it’s quite hard to keep control of the truck – even at low speeds,” he said. “But with the ESC, the whole vehicle is much more manageable and less prone to tipping. I think this clearly demonstrates the importance of electronic systems in improving road safety. Even though I’m a Formula 1 driver, I can still get into difficulties on the public roads – anyone can – and we need all the help we can get to improve safety and save lives.”
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Susie Stoddart also commented on ESC: “I would always choose a car with ESC as it is really effective in keeping the car controllable during emergency manoeuvres”. Robert Kubica added: “ESC is for sure worth the money, like your seatbelt is. It might be difficult to see when you are standing at the car dealer with a list of options for your car, but I’m sure that you would regret that you didn’t take ESC the day you need it to steer out of trouble.”
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