INNOVATION BRIEFING
All Articles in this section
- Analysis: What Pirelli’s mid-season changes will mean
- Analysis of progress on track and in the pits
- Gillan: Mercedes will be hurt but the rest will benefit from Pirelli hard tyre change
- Fallout from Alonso’s DRS failure in Bahrain
- Analysis of Pirelli’s decision on crucial tyre change
- That perfect ride: The must-have technical device of 2013
- McLaren problems could take “quite some time” to fix
- Insight: Different ways Lotus and Red Bull find speed
- Innovation that helps mechanics in the heat
- London Olympic Park race a highlight as Formula E 2014 calendar and car outline are released
- Analysis of the final Barcelona F1 test
- Analysis: What we have learned from Barcelona test
- Why has Red Bull been the car to beat in recent seasons?
- Insight into the new technology which helps F1 stewards make key decisions
- Insight: How you can see a new F1 car is progressing well
- Caterham, Toro Rosso and Marussia reveal 2013 cars in Jerez
- F1 Testing kicks off in Jerez: Some key things to look out for
- Don’t write them off: New Mercedes W04 technical analysis
- Sauber launches new car and driver pairing: “Onwards and upwards”
- New Ferrari F1 technical analysis: Not as much change as expected
- Fastest car of 2012 made even better: Technical analysis of new McLaren
- A glimpse into how F1 will change in 2014
- Interview: The man with a plan to change motorsport
- The best technical innovations of 2012
- Innovators recognised at Autosport Awards
- Formula E launches in Europe
- Renault will sweat on alternators until chequered flag falls
- On Ferrari’s “tactical” gearbox penalty
- McLaren’s stunning light painting
- Ferrari updates fail to hit the qualifying mark in Abu Dhabi
- Australia wins F1 in Schools World Title 2012
- F1 teams using own cameras in ingenious ways
- Tyre Sensors the key as Red Bull hold on to open a gap in title race
- Lifting the lid on engine torque maps
- Red Bull double DRS revealed in Suzuka
- Newey regrets the lack of creativity under current F1 rules
- Marussia chief warns 2014 engines ‘threat to the sustainability of the F1 grid’
- Vettel back in the game as spotlight falls on reliability and development
- The two F1 teams leading the push for solar power in F1
- How Monza is helping to shape a revolution in automotive world
- Alonso’s lucky escape shows urgency for driver cockpit protection
- The importance of DRS at Spa
- How the “brain” of an F1 car is being adapted for use in children’s hospitals
- Welcome to new JA on F1 Innovation and technology section
- Renault break cover on Red Bull engine mapping intrigue
- How much will Red Bull lose with engine loophole closed?
- The Red Bull Renault engine map controversy
- How do Ferrari and Red Bull get the front tyres switched on in the wet?
- Abu Dhabi To Host F1 In Schools World Finals during GP weekend
- McLaren pit stops back on track
- Lotus’s solar-powered simulator and a look into the future
- JA on F1 Podcast #5 – How important is innovation to Formula 1?
- Red Bull allowed to keep Bahrain and Monaco wins but forced to modify car
- Sauber gives fascinating insight into how an F1 car is packaged
- FIA working to resolve latest technical row
- F1 Drivers: The helmet is now the medium for the message
- A quick look into the future
- Ferrari boosted by more powerful Shell fuel for Barcelona
- Lotus fails with protest against Mercedes front wing
- Your questions answered: F1 fuels and engines
- The deal that changes F1 forever
- Pirelli unveils F1 tyres to give strategists something to work with
- FIA sends note to teams: Reactive suspension system is not legal
- Patents in F1 explained
- Has Lotus Renault found this year’s must-have gizmo?
- Mercedes on target with 2014 engines
- What’s pushing Toro Rosso up the Formula 1 grid so quickly?
- Radical changes to engine maps for 2012 give power back to designers
- Why the 2012 season has already started
- Cockpit Canopies under discussion again after Wheldon accident
- How to keep F1 engines healthy as they do their 3rd race of the season
- McLaren takes F1 know how into business world
- Ex F1 aerodynamicist Migeot unveils vision for Electric racing future
- At speed around Spa in the latest Formula 1 simulator
- More rows over electric in F1 as Toyota go for record
- Technical update: How Ferrari and McLaren closed the gap and Red Bull are reacting
- F1 set for electric starts – literally!
- Blown diffusers – So what exactly is being banned?
- F1 set for electric only in the pit lane?
- McLaren take F1 technology into cycle racing
Posted on March 19, 2013
Innovation in F1 is not limited to new technology on the cars or in communications devices, it even extends to the clothing worn by mechanics in the pit lane. And this weekend in the heat of Malaysia it should come into its own.
A new material developed from high-tech sportswear used by top tennis stars and other athletes is now helping to keep race mechanics cool and less tired when working in the pit lane in intense temperatures.
Human Performance Engineering, a company set up by Nick Harris, the man who trained top drivers like Mark Webber, David Coulthard and Nico Hulkenberg, discovered that team shirts made from the anti-microbial Freshfit material helped mechanics to stay sharper for longer, particularly in hot places like Malaysia this weekend. It uses a moisture management system to reduce fluid loss and maintain body temperature, which helps athletes to maintain performance over long periods and works in a similar way for mechanics.
“They conserve energy because they sweat less,” says Harris. “This means less fatigue and loss of concentration.”
Although the Melbourne race weekend took place in cool temperatures, the Caterham team, which is using HPE team gear this season, had a chance to feel the effect while setting up during the end of the Melbourne heatwave, which lasted until the Wednesday before the race. Temperatures in the pit lane on Monday hit 38 degrees and the mechanics reported a “significant” difference from previous team gear, which was made of material similar to football shirts, as most F1 teams use.
“They reported that they didn’t feel as tired at the end of the day and they noticed that they didn’t sweat as much,” says Harris.
The real test will come this weekend in Malaysia where temperatures of 35 degrees are combined with humidity as high as 80%.
For more information: www.hpeclothing.com
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Mercedes completed some testing with a view to 2013 on Friday in Abu Dhabi with Rosberg trialling a 'passive' double DRS system, similar to that first developed, but not raced, by Lotus in recent months. The air travels through ve...
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Red Bull introduced a new, shorter rear bodywork package onto the RB8 for the Korean GP, the latest sizeable change to the increasingly dominant car in recent weeks. With a shorter sidepod profile, a different route for the exhaus...
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Another revised rear wing arrived for Fernando Alonso to test in practice at Suzuka, but like at the previous round in Singapore, the part - which contained further tweaks to the endplate and grills - was again not raced come the...
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1. Posted By: Random 79
Date: March 19th, 2013 @ 8:17 am
Any guesses on how much one of those shirts might cost? I could have used one last week
[Reply]
2. Posted By: Mohammed Al-Momen
Date: March 19th, 2013 @ 8:18 am
Bahrain will be another test the weather is getting warmer by the day over here!!! Even we had rain this mroning!!!
[Reply]
3. Posted By: Ben
Date: March 19th, 2013 @ 9:37 am
Sounds like a good plan to me.
On the other hand Mclaren mechanics will have to be wearing trousers and not shorts so looks like not all the teams are buying into this philosophy.
[Reply]
4. Posted By: Martin B
Date: March 19th, 2013 @ 9:52 am
Fascinating stuff James.
I wonder if or indeed how long it will be before this material filters down to the general public and be used in sportswear. As a runner, it would be interesting to try it out and see the difference.
[Reply]
Pops Reply:
March 19th, 2013 at 2:34 pm
They have compression tops and polo shirts, but no tees at the moment.
http://hpe-shop.com/collections/men/products/formula40-compression-top-long-sleeve-men
http://hpe-shop.com/collections/men/products/formula40-ultimate-polo-men
FRESHFIT® Fabric: 80% nylon 20% spandex
[Reply]
Phil Bishop Reply:
March 19th, 2013 at 3:04 pm
I use x-bionic tops for running when it’s hot, check those out. they have a range for super hot weather
personally I like the technical geeky look but my wife hates it. mega £ too but it does work
incidentally the HPE hoodie and trousers are lovely for slouching round the house
[Reply]
5. Posted By: Steve
Date: March 19th, 2013 @ 10:33 am
I wander what they have been doing for the last 10-20 years to keep mechanics & drivers cool? Surely they’ve tried things for when in full fire suit..
[Reply]
James Allen Reply:
March 19th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
McLaren had “cool suits” for mechanics during refuelling era in hot places, apparently. One of their mechanics tweeted me a photo. I don’t remember those!
[Reply]
6. Posted By: Quade
Date: March 19th, 2013 @ 11:37 am
F1 is so interesting for the levels of innovation it churns out. It would be such a nice place to work!
I wonder if any team uses high performance shock absorbing plastics (eg D3o) to save the jack mans legs being ground to dust from frequent impacts with over enthusiastic pitting cars?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D3o
[Reply]
7. Posted By: David B
Date: March 19th, 2013 @ 11:42 am
Really interesting and different type of article, thanks for the insight.
[Reply]
Sarah Reply:
March 20th, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Yeah, I like to read things like this, as well as stuff about what happens on-track.
[Reply]
8. Posted By: Monji
Date: March 19th, 2013 @ 12:50 pm
Great, pit stops should be faster now, let say 2.4 average
[Reply]
DB Reply:
March 19th, 2013 at 4:51 pm
I cannot see the wheels coming off anymore. I think they just remove them while the car is moving.
[Reply]
9. Posted By: aveli
Date: March 19th, 2013 @ 1:16 pm
f1 is meant to be hi tech yet we see masking tape used to secure parts on cars and old mops used to clear dust etc. and yet they’re keen to show off hi tech clothes they’ve only just introduced. i would love to hear about techonoly transfer from f1 to other parts of life in general. f1 should use their wind tunnel and aerodynamic knowledge to design silent and more efficient vacuum cleaners for example after all all fans are very noisy. even those in computers and laptops should be quietened down with f1 wind tunnel knowledge.
[Reply]
cometeF1 Reply:
March 19th, 2013 at 6:30 pm
as funny as it might sound, people don’t like silent vacuum cleaners. the reason? They thing they are not as powerful. Marc
[Reply]
Random 79 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 1:45 am
Plus they don’t scare pet dogs and cats nearly as much, which takes all the fun out of it
[Reply]
10. Posted By: hotAir-O-foil
Date: March 19th, 2013 @ 1:30 pm
Their website’s Fabric Lab advertising-speak says:-
‘…silver technology that prevents bacterial build up…’
Translation:-
‘Significant reduction of body-odour facilitates enhanced team co-ordination’
[Reply]
James Allen Reply:
March 19th, 2013 at 1:52 pm
Good point!
[Reply]
11. Posted By: yassin
Date: March 19th, 2013 @ 1:44 pm
Hi James,
On a different topic, Nikki Lauda has expressed his displeasure to the press regarding the tyres, whats’ your thoughts on the situation?
My understanding from OZ is Teams now have to be an all round package to win rather then being just fast.
[Reply]
James Allen Reply:
March 19th, 2013 at 1:51 pm
If he was winning, like Lotus, he wouldn’t be complaining…
It’s the same for everyone. Mercedes tried to do a 300km race with just two stops, so they clearly thought tyres would last
[Reply]
yassin Reply:
March 19th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
Thanks James
I got a little emotional, Kimi looked like his old self back when he was at Mclaren.
[Reply]
Random 79 Reply:
March 19th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
Ha, good answer!
[Reply]
Johnny Z Reply:
March 19th, 2013 at 7:53 pm
Brawn decided to do a two stopper because he didn’t believe they had the pace to keep up with Red Bull and Ferrari on 3 stops. They wanted to take a chance by leaving Rosberg and Hamilton out there on a two stop strategy with a chance of rain, to see if they could poach a podium when RBR and Ferrari pitted for the 3rd time. Mercedes biggest mistake was over estimating their levels of tyre wear. Hamilton clearly stated in his early radio communications that the 2 stop strategy wasn’t going to work. Warmer temperatures in Malaysia will probably help Mercedes, but it will also help Red Bull and Ferrari.
[Reply]
Yak Reply:
March 20th, 2013 at 7:55 am
Lauda says a lot of things. He also said at some point last year that Vettel was out of the running for the WDC.
He may once have been a great driver, but it doesn’t mean everything that comes out of his mouth is gospel.
[Reply]
12. Posted By: JoeS
Date: March 19th, 2013 @ 4:22 pm
What id*ot thought to put them in football top material shirts in the first place, it isn’t rocket science to realise those shirts a flipping hot!
[Reply]
13. Posted By: Kbdavies
Date: March 20th, 2013 @ 11:57 am
Hello James,
Great article, but this statement does not make any sense – They conserve energy because they sweat less,”
If it reduces sweating because it is more breathable, or evaporates the sweat quicker because, again, it is more breathable, that that is different. However, this does not seem to be what the article is saying.
Anyone with a simple grasp of bio-mechanices will know that sweating is a biomechanical reaction cause d by exposure to heat which increases core temperature. This exposure can be external or internal.
To achieve what they are claiming, the attire must reduces the heat exposure/ ambient temperature the skin is exposed to, or serve to evaporate sweat faster,thereby cooling the skin and reducing further sweating. The article does not seem to be saying this.
I stand corrected if i have made a balls up of the article.
[Reply]
Random 79 Reply:
March 20th, 2013 at 7:35 pm
No disrespect for you Kbdavies, but these guys probably have a bit better than a *simple* grasp of bio-mechanics.
Whether it makes sense or not, whatever they are doing seems to be working for them.
[Reply]
RampantHaddock Reply:
March 21st, 2013 at 12:20 pm
…because companies never try to fool the general public with science-y sounding technobabble, do they?
[Reply]
Random 79 Reply:
March 21st, 2013 at 12:28 pm
No, they have advertising for that
14. Posted By: Phil
Date: March 21st, 2013 @ 4:32 am
pffft…when i was at Tyrrell we just had open necked baggy shirts and shorts during pit stops, no pit lane speed limits and jumpers for goal posts…..we were cool enough ..
[Reply]
Random 79 Reply:
March 21st, 2013 at 11:34 am
Yes, and it was probably that lax attitude toward safety that ultimately led to the development of those pesky Nexus 5s
[Reply]