British-based F1 teams helping raise ventilator capacity

Formula 1 teams based in the UK are working with the government and other groups to help address a shortage of respiratory equipment amid the coronavirus crisis. The news follows a government call for businesses to help increase the supply of ventilators to hospitals. According to an official statement, the teams have expert design, technology and production capabilities, and specialise in rapid prototyping and high value manufacturing, which is hoped can be applied to the critical needs set out by Government.

Working with Innovate UK, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult team and UCL and University College London Hospitals, the teams are evaluating a number of routes in conjunction with existing manufacturers and organisations from the aerospace and automotive sectors.

It is hoped this work, which is being rapidly progressed, will produce a tangible outcome in the next few days.

An F1 spokesperson wrote: “A collective of UK-based Formula 1 teams, engine manufacturers and their respective technology arms is evaluating support for the manufacture of respiratory devices in response to the UK Government’s call for assistance.

The news follows Pirelli’s offer of any relevant assistance it can give last week.