From Style to Safety - Part 4: Life-Saving Accessories

Reminiscent of the fabric caps worn by drivers of the past, the ventilated helmets worn by those competing in today's GT, IMSA, and WEC races, as well as IndyCar and NASCAR, demonstrate how much attention to driver safety has grown over the years, down to the smallest detail. What are these helmets? In enclosed race cars, the heat can be extremely high. With driving stints that can sometimes exceed two hours, having fresh air reaching the head and face guarantees concentration and clarity. This is the purpose of the system, which works simply: a tube carries air collected by a special dynamic intake to the driver's head. When changing helmets, a mechanic detaches the tube from the helmet of the driver leaving the car and attaches it to the one getting behind the wheel. In Formula 1, where the head is exposed but body heat can sometimes be extremely high, with drivers completely enveloped by the bodywork for aerodynamic reasons, the use of a cooling jacket under the suit has become mandatory. Not everyone likes it, but it is certainly an important step towards safety.