Soumil Arora
To many, the sheer magnitude of constructing colossal aircrafts and bridges may appear as the most complex engineering task. In fact, there are several reasons to support this belief. The scale of these ginormous operations require some truly sharp minds to turn a blueprint into reality! That said, one industry is often undermined when discussing the brightest engineers on the planet – motorsport and in particular, Formula One.
Formula One engineering in daily life
Normally, it is believed that if you wish to rapidly develop an emerging technology, the aviation industry can refine and develop it within only few years. However, the bustling nature of Formula One has proved time and again that it can develop advanced solutions like these much quicker than the rest. The likes of the innovative ERS system and the McLaren 5G infrastructure for connected road, rail and underground transportation are tremendous examples of the same.
Project Pitlane and how F1 fights Covid-19
Now, in the devastating times of the Covid-19 pandemic, Formula One engineering has once again made its way into our daily lives. ‘Project Pitlane’ is a joint-effort by all the UK-based Formula One teams to counter the spread of the coronavirus in the UK. This involves the teams coming together to jointly reverse engineer present day ventilators to make them more effective and efficient by using their engineering expertise.
According to formula1.com, “In each instance, Project Pitlane will pool the resources and capabilities of its member teams to greatest effect, focusing on the core skills of the F1 industry: rapid design, prototype manufacture, test and skilled assembly. F1’s unique ability to rapidly respond to engineering and technological challenges allows the group to add value to the wider engineering industry’s response.”
Thanks to this, the redesigned ventilators, which have been approved by the NHS will rapidly be deployed into action. Along with other medical devices, they will stand right at the frontline in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. Unlike what many may perceive, Formula One engineering isn’t just limited to the racetrack.
Mercedes HPP and the CPAP
In addition to this, the Mercedes High Performance Powertrains have also co-developed a new breathing aid called the ‘Continuous Positive Airway Pressure’ or the CPAP, is is a breathing aid that helps coronavirus patients with serious lung infections to breathe and avoid having to use ‘invasive mechanical ventilation’ – breathing devices that involve tubes through the skin or mouth.
Using a reverse engineering technique to re-engineer similar existing devices, the device has now been approved for mass production. This will definitely help patients battle against the coronavirus more effectively.
Ferrari too have donated generously to the Italian government in their fight against the Covid-19 and their huge contributions will make a significant impact.
Born on the racetrack, made for the world
As we have seen time and again, Formula One engineering knows no bounds. With some of the sharpest brains in the planet all working in the same industry, it is no surprise that the engineering technology and solutions used in Formula One are some of the most advanced in the world and now, they are being channeled into an extremely noble cause through ‘Project Pitlane’.
Stay healthy, stay safe and most importantly, stay at home to defeat the Covid-19!
Media Credits: Mercedes AMG F1
