Formula 1

The Survival Cell

Photos provided by F1 temporary exhibit in Madrid, Spain

The survival cell was introduced in Formula One in 1981. This cell is made to be indestructible and is meant to protect the driver in any given situation, like a collision. A survival cell is 6mm of carbon fiber and is located in the central part of the car. The photo provided by the Formula 1 Museum's temporary exhibit in Madrid Spain shows a burned safety cell.

There is a fascinating history surrounding this specific survival cell. In 2020 Haas driver Romain Grosjean crashed into the barrier going 140 MPH and his car split and burst into flames. He miraculously survived this due to the indestructible Survival Cell leaving the scene with only severe burns on his hands.

The Halo Device

The Halo device was brought into F1 in 2018. The purpose of this device is to protect the driver's head. The halo device creates a barrier that blocks large debris and objects from entering the cockpit of the car and harming the driver. Not only does the Halo protect from flying objects but it can also help absorb forces from impacts in walls or with other drivers

In October of 2014, Jules Bianchi was involved in a fatal crash with a safety vehicle, although he "survived" the initial impact Jules passed 8 months later in 2015 from the injuries. Since then Formula One has been working on adding safety features that work to reduce intense injuries and fatalities while in the F1 car.

Photo Provided by motorsport.com

Photos provided by F1 temporary exhibit in Madrid, Spain

Helmets

Photos provided by F1 temporary exhibit in Madrid, Spain

Helmets were introduced to Formula 1 in 1952. Before helmets were required, drivers were wearing cloth caps with goggles. By the 1970's carbon fiber helmets were introduced. The purpose of using carbon fiber was to make the helmet lighter and to increase protection. In the 1990's the HANS device was introduced into F1. Today helmets are highly sophisticated pieces of technology. Not only do they work to protect the driver's head, but they also increase aerodynamics.

These two helmets were photographed by Drew Carrington and Dave Gross from the Ferrari Museum. These two helmets are prime examples of how far safety technology has come in F1. The White helmet with the goggles is a prime example of how unsafe the helmets in racing used to be. This helmet lacks key safety features seen in modern-day F1 helmets such as the full-face visor and any sort of padding.

The Red Helmet was former F1 Driver, Niki Laudas's race helmet. It's estimated to be from the late 1970's. While this is more advanced than the previous helmets, containing a full face visor as well as being made out of carbon fiber, it is still missing some key features seen in F1 helmets today. Today, F1 helmets are still made out of carbon fiber but contain 17 layers of high-density foam lining. The technology in helmets has come far to protect drivers from severe damage to the head in case of a collision.

Race Suits

Photos provided by F1 temporary exhibit in Madrid, Spain

When the sport first began, drivers were able to wear whatever they wanted during races. In 1963 drivers were required to wear overalls, and in 1975 the overalls became fire resistant. Today, we see drivers wearing full race suits made out of Nomex coating, a flame-resistant material. These suits need to be able to withstand 800 degrees for more than 11 seconds.

Race suits in Formula 1 hold a very interesting history. In 1950, at the very beginning of the sport. drivers could wear whatever they wanted. In the early 60's fire resistant materials started being used in the making of race suits. In 1963 F1 introduced the Nomex (a heat shield-like material) into their race suit design. Although the safety of these suits improves, they were 7 layers and were described to be bulky, and uncomfortable to wear.

The race suit, from the Racing Hall of Fame Collection, was worn by James Hunt in his 1978 F1 season with Mclaren.

The race suits of today have gone through many improvements, Long gone are the five-layer, bulky, heavy, and uncomfortable race suits, they have transformed into lightweight suits that are more pleasant for the driver to wear. Today's race suit is still made out of the Nomex coating introduced in the 1960's. Along with the Nomex coating modern F1 suits have gone through extreme tests to make sure they are extremely fire resistant. Not only are the suits themselves fire-resistant, but so are the gloves, and shoes the drivers wear during the races.

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