AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX MEDICAL TEAM

On this page, I would like share with you my experiences as a doctor at the Australian Grand Prix held in Albert Park, Melbourne. I have been doing it for 6 years (2000 - present) and will continue to do so as long there is Formula 1 in Australia. Click Aus GP Photos for photos of my personal experience at each Australian Grand Prix.

The medical team is organised by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS). Dr David Vissenga is the Chief Medical Officer and Dr Paul Middleton is the Deputy Chief Medical Officer. Until 2004, the team was overseen by Prof Sidney Watkins, who retired from his position as FIA Medical Delegate. From 2005, the new FIA Medical Delegate is Dr Gary Hartstein. The team consists of doctors, nurses, paramedics, drivers, helicopter pilots, communications and other paramedical personnel, numbering more than a hundred. Most , like myself, are volunteers and come from all over Australia.

The Australian Grand Prix is held over four days in early March and includes Formula 1 and other national events like the V8 Super Cars, Formula Fords and production sports cars. There is also a one off celebrity race by local and international personalities. Motor sport is dangerous and accidents can happen to any of the drivers, officials and spectators. Therefore, it is very important to have a medical team and fully equipped medical centre in place.

The week normally starts on Tuesday's "uniform night" where we meet at the CAMS head office in Malvern East to collect our credentials. New members will also be able to collect their green uniforms as well. On Wednesday morning, there is a training session at the Alfred Hospital. Later that afternoon, members who are based in mobile units attend a track session at the circuit. The circuit is closed for about 2 hours for slow and high speed testing of all the CAMS medical vehicles and the FIA safety and medical cars.

Team members are required to be present for the four day event (Thursday to Sunday) and have various responsibilities depending on their speciality. Each morning, there is a meeting of all team members, held in a big tent next to the Medical Centre. After that we collect our equipment, food and drink and head to our allocated positions. Occasionally, we are allowed access to pit lane where we can see the Formula 1 teams prepare their cars or practice their pit stops. Rarely, we might get to meet a Formula 1 driver or two.

Below are various components that make up the medical team. 

The Medical Centre & Medivac

The Medical Centre at the circuit is located near the entry of pit lane, allowing easy access to and from the track. It is staffed by accident and emergency personnel from The Alfred Hospital. Medical services or treatment performed there is for drivers, team members, officials and other persons directly involved in the event, but not for the general public in the normal circumstance. There are examination and resuscitation rooms and a fully equipped operating room where life-saving surgery can be performed.

Once the casualty is stabilised at the centre, he/she will be transported to the Alfred Hospital. The critically injured is transported by a dedicated Medical Evacuation Helicopter (Medivac). Two helicopters are used for the event. The first is stationed adjacent to the medical centre, with the second or reserve helicopter ready to take the place of the first when it leaves the circuit. The less serious casualty is evacuated by road ambulance to the Alfred Hospital.

The centre also houses a supply room which facilitates the provision, distribution, maintenance, and replenishment of all trackside medical equipment.

Track Medical Officers (TMO) & Track Assistants (TA)

TMOs (doctors) and their TAs (nurses/paramedics) are based at various posts along the track, including pit lane. There are seventeen posts which are in areas of the track where this is the best method of providing first response. Both TMO and TA are on foot and carry very basic medical equipment. Their role is to make a quick assessment and start initial intervention of injured drivers or officials. If a more serious injury is suspected, they will call upon a FIV to respond.

First Intervention Vehicles (FIV)

Six First Intervention Vehicles (FIV) or Victor units, clearly identified as medical intervention vehicles and fitted with red emergency beacons, are strategically positioned round the circuit. The crew consists of one or two doctors, a MICA paramedic, and a driver who is qualified to hold a current CAMS competition licence. The FIV doctors have qualifications or experience in Intensive Care, Anaesthetics and Trauma management. Equipment and drugs for resuscitation (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and initial stabilisation is carried. They are organised in two separate boxes designated "Resus" and "Trauma". A monitor-defibrillator has also recently be added. Every FIV is on standby at the start of every race as accidents tend to happen at that time. A particular FIV may be put on standby at any time during the race if an incident occurs ahead of it. A FIV is only scrambled if that incident turns out to be a time critical emergency. Two Support Intervention Vehicles (SIV) or Sierra units are similarly equipped and are reserves to the FIVs. 

For the first 4 years, I have been assigned to Victor 3 (Turn 9), Victor 4 (Turn 12) twice, and Victor 5 (Between Turns 13 & 14). Last year, I rotated between Victor 2 (Turn 4) and Chase 2 (Pitlane Exit). Victor 2 has the honour of chasing the racing cars at the start of each race, including Formula 1. The car goes from behind the grid to turn 4. This year, I rotated between Chase 2 (Pitlane Exit) for national events and Victor 6 (Pitlane Entry) for Formula 1 only.

BMW Australia has kindly sponsored the event for the last few years and have provided BMW 5 series sedans and wagons for the medical team. Most are equipped with small television screens which allow the crew to watch the race.

Medical Extrication Team Vehicles

Two Medical Extrication Team Vehicles or Echo units, also fitted with red emergency beacons, are strategically positioned on the track. One adjacent to pit lane exit and the other at Turn 9. The crew consists of one doctor, four paramedics, and a driver with a CAMS competition licence. The equipment includes the full range of apparatus necessary to extricate safely any casualty who is trapped or unconscious with particular emphasis on the management of spinal injury, real or potential. The Oregon Extrication Device is carried in both vehicles. Other equipment includes specialised tools for the removal of F1 extractable seats and additional or reserve resuscitation equipment. Here is a series of photos showing Echo 2 Team practising their extrication of a Minardi Team member in a Minardi car at the 2005 Australian Grand Prix: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3, Photo 4, Photo 5 and Photo 6.

Ambulances

Five ambulances or Alpha units are also strategically positioned on the track. They are fully equipped to take over the level of care initiated at the trackside and to maintain that level of care during transport. Each is manned by two paramedic ambulance officers. A doctor will be available to to accompany a casualty in the ambulance if necessary.

The Medical Chase Cars

Two medical chase cars are used for the Australian Grand Prix. In Australia, Chase 1 is used solely for Formula 1 and is now driven by Dr Jacques Tropenal. It conveys the FIA medical delegate, Dr Gary Hartstein, and a specialist anaesthetist, Dr Roger Capps. Along with the necessary resuscitation equipment, the vehicle also has radio communications, access to race commentary and television coverage. Chase 1 is situated at pit lane exit and follows the first lap of the race. Chase 1 is an official FIA vehicle, provided by Mercedes-Benz AMG. However, Chase 2 is an official CAMS vehicle, provided by BMW (5 or 3 Series), and is only involved in national events (not Formula 1).

Race Control & Communications

There is a comprehensive radio communications network dedicated to the medical service, maintained in Race Control. Race Control is situated above the paddock club suites. Each fixed and mobile medical unit has a portable two-way radio with headset which allows for direct communication with Race Control (Mr Don Degiglio). "Hot Line" telephone lines also exist between Race Control, Medical Centre and the Alfred Hospital. Race Control also has Comprehensive Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) monitoring of the track and therefore able to receive images of an emergency scene.

Hospitals

The Alfred Hospital is the primary designated hospital for the Australian Grand Prix. It provides a full range of general and specialist hospital facilities required for the conduct of the Grand Prix. The reserve hospital is the Royal Melbourne Hospital.