Constantly pushing the boundaries of motorsport puts great emphasis on the development of safety rules. For this reason, the FIA introduced the new homologation standard 5523-2018, intended for all non-flammable driver, passenger or mechanics clothing, which was introduced on 1/1/2022. From this date, no manufacturer of homologated clothing may use the older, still-used type of standard 8856-2000. FIA Regulation 8856-2018 is a 50-page set of safety standards established by the Fédération Internationale Automobiles (FIA) that manufacturers of flame retardant clothing must comply with to ensure maximum protection for all direct participants in motorsport in the event of an accident. The regulation applies to all non-flammable clothing, including overalls, underwear (boxers, bras, panties) shoes and gloves.
Each piece of flame retardant clothing with the new homologation must include a gold holographic FIA label. FIA 8856-2018 is the first homologation of racing clothing that has an expiry date on the label. Expiration is 10 years from the date of manufacture. This expiry date is currently only relevant for FIA events. This does not mean that your local racing organization will also require new clothing after the expiration date.
Underwear, balaclavas and socks
According to the new FIA, balaclavas, socks and underwear need to have heat transfer protection for at least 5 seconds (compared to the 3 seconds from the previous FIA standard). In addition, the balaclavas have a new design, which reduces the load on the neck when removing the helmet from the head. The length of the hood was extended in the neck area to cover a much larger area of the body against fire. Knee-length socks are intended to protect the driver in areas where gaps in skin coverage could appear.
Overalls
FIA 8856-2018 sets new requirements for the design and construction of racing overalls worn by drivers and all participants where the use of racing overalls is necessary. These requirements cover a wide range of aspects such as the materials, their design or the way they fit and the level of protection they offer. The main change is an increase in the protection of the conductor against heat transfer by roughly 20%. Total fire protection increased from 11 seconds to a minimum of 12 seconds. Overalls must also be designed to fit comfortably on the driver's body. If personalization (printing/embroidery) is carried out, the jumpsuit should be delivered with a certificate from the manufacturer as proof that the modification was made using non-flammable materials.
Gloves and shoes
FIA 8856-2018 regulation also sets new requirements for the production method of racing gloves and shoes. The requirements are identical to those for coveralls and coverage areas such as materials, design and fit. Gloves and boots must be made of the highest quality flame-retardant materials and designed to fit the driver's hands and feet perfectly. Under the new regulation, gloves are now designed to have a much tighter fit around the wrist with a longer sleeve, and the inside of the glove must be covered with at least one layer of flame-retardant material. Personalization must be carried out following regulations and with the use of non-combustible materials.
According to the new regulation, shoes have up to 11 seconds of heat transfer resistance (in case of fire). The height of the shoe has also been changed to reduce the possibility of revealing part of the leg.
Marking and certification
According to the new FIA standard 8856-2018, each equipment must be clearly marked with the appropriate certificate, which means that they have been tested and meets the requirements. These tag identifiers are now placed in highly visible locations such as the back of the neck on the racing suit. The holograms have changed from silver to gold and are located next to the 8856-2018 label. The homologation labels now also indicate the year of expiration, unlike the previous 8856-2000 homologation, which only indicated the date of manufacture.
Is there a need to worry?
These changes mainly concern top motorsport such as Formula 1, WRC, WEC,.. If your equipment meets the older FIA homologation 8856-2000, everything is fine, provided that the organization under which you compete has not issued a change in requirements. However, it should be borne in mind that older equipment loses its protective properties over time and cannot withstand fire in the same way as new equipment with current FIA homologation.
Overall, FIA Regulation 8856-2018 is a significant step in the world of motorsport safety. It ensures that all participants are protected to the highest possible standards and that the equipment they use is rigorously tested to ensure its effectiveness. It is a testament to the FIA's commitment to the safety of its drivers and will undoubtedly help reduce the number of accidents and injuries in the world.
In our offer you will find current FIA equipment in the form of overalls, underwear, shoes or gloves and of course also helmets or neck protection.
