The ability of a driver to quickly and safely evacuate their cockpit in the event of a critically important incident in Formula 1. To ensure their fitness, the FIA requires all drivers to pass a cockpit exit test before being able to participate in the competition.
This test, which has evolved over decades, reflects advances in safety and changes in single-seater design. In the 1970s, pilots had five seconds to escape. In 1998, this time limit increased to 10 seconds, including replacing the steering wheel. Since the introduction of the halo in 2018, an adjustment has been made, now allowing a total of 12 seconds: seven seconds to exit the cockpit, followed by an additional five seconds to replace the steering wheel.
The test is carried out under the rigorous supervision of an FIA delegate. The driver, dressed in full racing gear, begins by unbuckling his seat belt and removing the steering wheel, which he can hand over to a nearby mechanic. He must then leave the cockpit, jump out of the car, retrieve the steering wheel and reattach it, all within the time limit.
If the driver passes the test and the FIA validates his performance, he is then officially authorized to take part in competitions. A technical and timed exercise which demonstrates the importance given to safety in Formula 1.
