Racewear for motorsports is pretty good looking, fabulous, and highly functional. Since motorsports involve a constant threat of mishaps and fires, the race wears are fire-resistant. Moreover, the clothing for F1 drivers has undergone a series of changes to enhance safety.
The long sleeve tops, goggles, helmets, and gloves are a part of protective clothing for F1 racers. Are you eager to know how the F1 drivers dress up for the races? Keep reading this article to find out!
It is a fundamental rule of F1 for all the drivers to wear a one-piece race suit. Recently, F1 mandated a revised racing suit for the racers. These overalls use Nomex material, which is fireproof and critical for the racer's safety.
Over the years, the materials for the race suit have evolved and become lighter and thinner. As recommended by the FIA, the current racing suits have three layers of fabric to offer fire resistance.
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The gauntlet or the gloves have always been a part of F1 racewear. The current design of F1 gloves also offers fire protection for the racer's hands. It is also worth mentioning that those delicate leather palms in the glove provide tactile feedback of the steering wheels silicone grips.
These Nomex-materials gloves extend from the fingertips to the palm. The gloves must have a good fit for safety and feedback purposes. Most fans are unaware that the gloves also have biometric sensors. These sensors provide data such as heart rate, oxygen saturation, etc.
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Boots are a combination of safety, functionality, and fashion. Current trends for racer boots follow a sports trainer style, a sleek rubber silicone sole, and laces or Velcro straps. Also, the trend for sock-style uppers has replaced artificial leather-like materials or suede/leather.
The current day F1 helmets are unlike the past ones. These new helmets are incredible examples of quality engineering. These helmets undergo stringent quality tests for safety.
One of the critical aspects of the current-day helmet is that they are lighter. The helmets use carbon composite for their outer shell and a fireproof lining. Also, in the 2018 regulation, there was a change in visor overlap and eye-port size.
Even though the racing suit is fireproof, the FIA holds it mandatory for the drivers to don a layer of fireproof underwear. The current underlayers for F1 racers are moisture-wicking and breathable. So, aside from offering fire protection, the layers also provide athletic comfort.
Like the race suit, these underlayers also need regulation certification and can feature sponsor and team logos. Then there is also balaclava, which is generally double-layered to safeguard the exposed facial area.
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Right from the underlayers to the helmet, the clothing for F1 racers is decided, keeping in mind functionality and protection.
