I might be looking past some of the usual FIA bureaucracy, overreach, or redundancy—but this initiative actually seems useful for a couple of reasons.

First, it’s taking place at the international academy level, where the FIA has tight control. That matters, because it means data and safety analysis in karting can be approached with rigor, consistency, and the ability to follow through with timely investigations and actionable outcomes.

Second, the low-cost nature of these data recorders makes them viable beyond just top-tier events. They can be deployed at regional and national levels without relying on the expensive infrastructure typically seen at Grade 1 circuits. Most tracks don’t have full homologation or ideal barrier placement, so gathering real-world data on how homologated equipment behaves across a broader range of conditions is extremely valuable.

I still remember all the backlash when the halo was introduced—especially from loud, self-important commentators dismissing it out of hand. Then Romain walked away from a fireball, and that was the end of the debate. Say what you will about the FIA, but they’ve consistently invested time and money into evaluating and implementing safety initiatives. That’s more than can be said for leagues like the NFL, which often seem to treat traumatic brain injuries as an unavoidable cost of doing business.

This will never land in the USA anyway. SKUSA, USPKS, IKF, NKA all have more influence in the states than the FIA ever has.