FIA examines Fisi's Spa helmet.

The FIA's safety experts are taking a close look at the crash helmet Giancarlo Fisichella was wearing when he went off at the top of Eau Rouge during the Belgian Grand Prix, in order to gather important safety data.

Although it wasn't reported at the time, the Italian's helmet struck part of the tyre wall, scratching the visor and, more significantly, putting a gouge in the carbon shell. It was one of the biggest accidents since the new-spec carbon helmets were made mandatory in July last year, and the FIA is keen to learn from it.

The FIA's safety experts are taking a close look at the crash helmet Giancarlo Fisichella was wearing when he went off at the top of Eau Rouge during the Belgian Grand Prix, in order to gather important safety data.

Although it wasn't reported at the time, the Italian's helmet struck part of the tyre wall, scratching the visor and, more significantly, putting a gouge in the carbon shell. It was one of the biggest accidents since the new-spec carbon helmets were made mandatory in July last year, and the FIA is keen to learn from it.

Of particular interest is the fact that the damage is thought to have been caused by one of the bolts holding the rubber belt that retains the tyrewall, and therefore there could be changes introduced to the system that the FIA specifies to the circuits in the future.

Several years ago, Fisi struck the Magny-Cours tyre wall with his helmet after an accident in practice, forcing him to miss the race.

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