Helicopters answer for safe F1 car recovery?

[John S]

Yes says Swiss firm Air Zermatt; it avoids tow trucks on track.       

Air Zermatt has long proposed the idea of retrieving cars from the air, with governing body the FIA granting it permission to conduct an initial test at the 2005 A1 Grand Prix weekend in Dubai, See vid below.

Following successful vehicle recoveries, Air Zermatt had hoped to carry out evaluations at a Formula 1 test, but the company claims its request for further action has not been answered.

Maybe now following the Bianchi crash at Suzuka the powers that be will look properly at this proposal after putting it on the back burner for so long.   

[cosworth151]

There were high winds and pouring down rain at Suzuki. Close-to-ground hover operations under those conditions would have been foolhardy at best.

[John S]

Well that's put the skids under that plan then.   

[Scott]

Um...safety of fans, debris on track, and I would just be waiting for the first track steward to forget to let go of the car and fly up with it. 

[Monty]

Have you seen the wash from a helicopter that is powerful enough to safely lift a F1car???? It would blow bill boards down, knock marshals over, may even damage the car. It would still need marshals to go on track to fit the strops then add to this the cost and the whole idea looks completely stupid.
The answer is simple, if car recovery requires trucks to come onto the track, get the cars behind the safety car before starting the recovery!

[Willy]

The downdraft from helicopter prop wash is huge and not to be safely worked under.
High wind conditions also limit their use.
Not a viable alternative in my mind to on-track tractor recovery vehicles.
Safety car and cranes are the way and do it as soon as possible, especially under adverse conditions.

[cosworth151]

That reminds me of the famous story about when they filmed The Sound of Music. The opening scene is a long, aerial shot that swoops in on Julie Andrews on a hilltop. On the first take, the rotor wash off the camera helo knocked Andrews flat!