Motorsport Australia Enhances Safety Protocols with Revised Concussion Guidelines for 2025

Motorsport is an electrifying, high-octane sport that pushes competitors, officials, and support teams to their limits. As with all athletic pursuits, the comprehension of concussion and its long-term ramifications is an area of ongoing development, underscoring the necessity for safety protocols to advance correspondingly. Motorsport Australia is dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of all participants in the sport by adopting cutting-edge, evidence-based concussion guidelines.

There is an increasing acknowledgment across all sporting disciplines regarding the implications of concussions on athletes, and motorsport is no different. By persistently advancing our grasp of concussions and fine-tuning safety measures, Motorsport Australia ensures that competitors, officials, and spectators benefit from top-tier medical guidance and best-practice protocols. This philosophy is championed by Motorsport Australia’s National Medical Advisory Committee (NMAC), comprised of specialists committed to this cause.

In line with this ethos, Motorsport Australia has unveiled the Concussion Management Guidelines for 2025. Initially announced in December 2024, these revisions have received the green light from the Motorsport Australia Board, following the recommendations put forth by the NMAC.

The newly updated guidelines conform to internationally recognised standards, integrating the latest Concussion Recognition Tool (CRT6) and the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT6). These instruments equip healthcare professionals at motorsport events with the latest methodologies for the early identification and evaluation of concussions, guaranteeing that individuals affected receive timely and suitable care, along with the necessary follow-up procedures.

The NMAC of Motorsport Australia comprises preeminent medical and industry professionals dedicated to bolstering safety within the sport. Dr Brent May, a renowned trauma specialist in motorsport, led the revisions, bringing with him an invaluable wealth of experience as the Chief Medical Officer for Formula 1, Medical Advisor to Supercars, and the FIA Doctor of the Year in 2016. His contributions signify Motorsport Australia’s steadfast commitment to prioritising safety, risk management, and governance in motorsport. He was supported by fellow committee members, including Dr Matthew Croxford, Dr Matthew MacPartlin, Dr Jennifer Devine, Mr Greg Gibson, and Dr Karyn Lun, all bringing extensive expertise to the task of enhancing medical protocols in motorsport.

The 2025 Concussion Management Guidelines are now publicly available, ensuring that participants, officials, and medical personnel have access to the latest protocols for assessing and managing concussions.

By persistently enhancing our comprehension of concussions and ensuring adherence to best practices, Motorsport Australia is unwavering in its commitment to making motorsport as safe as possible for everyone involved.

---

FAQ: Updated Concussion Guidelines

What this means for competitors:

• Enhanced Safety Measures: The introduction of the latest concussion assessment tools (CRT6 and SCAT6) will empower medical professionals to quickly and accurately diagnose concussions, thereby ensuring safer conditions for competition.
• Clearly Defined Return-to-Competition Protocols: Should a competitor be suspected of experiencing a concussion, there will be organised, medically supervised processes in place for their return to racing, significantly lowering the risk of premature participation.
• Explicit Exclusion Periods: For adults (18 years and older) – a minimum exclusion period of 14 days from the incident date, requiring clearance by a medical practitioner (medical doctor). For those under 18 years – a minimum exclusion period of 21 days from the incident date, also requiring clearance by a medical practitioner (medical doctor).
• Increased Awareness and Education: Competitors will gain a deeper understanding of concussion risks, symptoms, and essential precautions, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about their health.
• Uniform Medical Evaluations: The guidelines will standardise concussion assessments across all Motorsport Australia-sanctioned events, ensuring fairness and consistency in medical evaluations.

What this means for medical staff:

• Improved Assessment Tools: The adoption of CRT6 and SCAT6 offers a more structured and reliable approach to evaluating potential concussions, facilitating quicker and more accurate diagnoses.
• Standardised Protocols: Medical teams will adhere to a consistent process across all Motorsport Australia-sanctioned events, ensuring uniformity in identifying and managing concussions.
• Clear Return-to-Participation Criteria: The guidelines delineate explicit steps for determining when a competitor is ready to return, minimising the risk of premature clearance.
• Enhanced Medical Preparedness: On-site medical teams will be better equipped with current knowledge and best practices, bolstering their capacity to address concussion cases effectively.