MA STRENGTHENS SAFETY WITH UPDATED CONCUSSION GUIDELINES FOR 2025

MEDIA RELEASE/Motorsport Australia – Image: supplied

Motorsport is an exhilarating, high-performance sport that demands the very best from competitors, officials, and support teams. As with all sports, the understanding of concussion and its long-term effects continues to evolve, and it is essential that safety measures evolve with it. Motorsport Australia is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of everyone involved in the sport by implementing the latest evidence-based concussion protocols.

Across all levels of sport, there is growing recognition of how concussions impact athletes, and motorsport is no exception. By continually improving our understanding of concussion and refining safety measures, Motorsport Australia is ensuring that competitors, officials, and spectators benefit from world-class medical advice and best-practice protocols. This commitment is driven by Motorsport Australia’s dedicated National Medical Advisory Committee (NMAC).

With this in mind, Motorsport Australia has now published the 2025 Concussion Management Guidelines. These revisions, first announced in December 2024, have been endorsed by the Motorsport Australia Board following recommendations from NMAC.

The updated guidelines align with globally recognised best practices, incorporating the latest Concussion Recognition Tool (CRT6) and Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT6). These tools provide healthcare professionals at motorsport events with the most up-to-date methods for recognising and assessing concussion, ensuring that affected individuals receive the appropriate care and follow-up procedures.

Motorsport Australia’s NMAC consists of leading medical and industry experts dedicated to enhancing safety in the sport. The revisions were lead by Dr Brent May, an esteemed motorsport trauma specialist, brought invaluable experience as Chief Medical Officer for Formula 1, Medical Advisor to Supercars, and FIA Doctor of the Year 2016. His contributions reflect Motorsport Australia’s ongoing commitment to safety, risk mitigation, and governance in motorsport. Dr May was assisted by fellow committee members including Dr Matthew Croxford, Dr Matthew MacPartlin, Dr Jennifer Devine, Mr Greg Gibson, and Dr Karyn Lun, all of whom contributed extensive expertise to improving motorsport medical protocols.

The 2025 Concussion Management Guidelines are now published ensuring that motorsport participants, officials, and medical personnel have access to the latest concussion assessment and management protocols. The Eleven Steps of Concussion Management Infographic is also available.

By continually refining our understanding of concussion and ensuring best-practice management, Motorsport Australia remains committed to making motorsport as safe as possible for all involved.

Motorsport Australia takes the safety and wellbeing of our competitors, crew and officials seriously. These guidelines should be followed in any incident or when there is risk of concussion.

Australian based guidelines, education programs, research and referral tools are available at Concussion in Sport Australia https://www.concussioninsport.gov.au/ Motorsport Australia concussion guidelines follow the “11 R’s” of Sports Related Concussion management.

SUMMARY

RECOGNISE/DIAGNOSE
Diagnosis of concussion may be by a medical doctor or another practitioner experienced in concussion including specialist concussion physiotherapist, occupational therapist, neurophysiologist, etc.

Concussion may be diagnosed using any specialist tool including, but not limited to, CRT-6, SCAT-6, IMPACT, SAC and MACE. This may occur
trackside, in the medical centre, at a hospital or medical practitioner office.

Red Flag Symptoms
– Neck pain
– Increasing confusion, agitation or irritability
– Repeated vomiting
– Seizure or convulsion
– Weakness or tingling/burning in the arms or legs
– Deteriorating conscious state
– Severe or increasing headache
– Unusual behavioural change
– Loss of vision or double vision
– Visible deformity of the skull
– Loss of consciousness

RETURN-TO-SPORT AFTER CONCUSSION
Mandatory exclusion periods apply. Any competitor suspected of concussion must be excluded from further participation until they have been reviewed by a doctor (medical practitioner) and cleared of concussion.

Any competitor diagnosed with concussion can only return to competition after the mandatory exclusion period, completing a ReturnTo-Sport process AND must have been cleared by a doctor medical practitioner.

Exclusion Period
Adults (18 years and over)
Minimum period of exclusion is 14 days from incident AND have been cleared by a Medical Practitioner (Medical Doctor)

Less than 18 years
Minimum period of exclusion is 21 days from incident AND have been cleared by a Medical Practitioner (Medical Doctor)

Read the full guidlines here on the MA website.

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