UK-based F1 teams responding to ventilator shortage

UK-based Formula 1 teams are working with government and health authorities to help the relief effort amid a worldwide ventilator shortage due to the coronavirus pandemic.

All seven British based F1 teams are using their collective technology arms to try and manufacture more respiratory devices in response to the UK government’s call for assistance for the NHS.

Ventilators are a key piece of medical equipment in the fight against COVID-19, with the devices used to help supply more air to patients with breathing difficulties and other severe symptoms of coronavirus which can result in lung problems such as pneumonia.

“The teams are working in collaboration with Formula 1, the UK Government and other organisations to establish the feasibility of the teams producing, or supporting the production of, medical devices to help in the treatment of COVID-19 patients,” an F1 statement read.

“All 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.”

F1 teams that have applied-technologies divisions which could help increase the supply of ventilators include reigning world champions Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren, Williams, and Italian outfit Ferrari.

It is estimated that the UK needs an extra 20,000 ventilators to deal with the crisis in the coming months. There are more than 3,200 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, which has resulted in 144 deaths.