F1 teams plan to build medical equipment to fight virus

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton sits in his car during the tests for the new Formula One Grand Prix season at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo in the outskirts of Barcelona on February 21, 2020. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP)

Formula One’s British-based teams are working on a plan to manufacture medical equipment needed to fight the coronavirus.

The British government and health authorities need more ventilators in intensive care units as a result of the respiratory problems caused by the illness.

Formula One teams have engineering capabilities that could speed up the production of the units.

With the Formula One season delayed due to the pandemic, the teams are evaluating a number of routes in conjunction with existing manufacturers and organizations from the aerospace and automotive sectors.

“A collective of UK-based Formula 1 teams, engine manufactures and their respective technology arms is evaluating support for the manufacture of respiratory devices in response to the UK government’s call for assistance,” a statement on the F1 website said on Friday.

“The teams are working in collaboration with F1, the UK government and other organizations to establish the feasibility of the teams producing, or supporting, the production of medical devices to help in the treatment of coronavirus patients.

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