Call to arms

Never before has the world witnessed such a coming together of industry with one common cause – to defeat an enemy we cannot even see

- GEMMA HATTON

The main positive that has emerged from the chaos caused by the coronavirus pandemic has been unity. Whether it is people singing together from their balconies, clapping for the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) or dancing in the streets at a time when everyone is forced apart, strangely the world seems closer together. It is no different in motorsport.

Teams, drivers and suppliers across the world have been forced to ditch their normal racing routines and instead have been doing whatever they can to support the fight against Covid-19. Drivers such as Alexander Sims have been collecting personal protective equipment (PPE) and delivering it to the NHS trust. At the time of writing, Sims had collected over 40,000 pairs of gloves and 200 face masks.

Stepping up

Meanwhile, Mercedes HPP has reverse engineered a breathing aid for rapid manufacture and the seven UK-based Formula 1 teams have united for ‘Project Pitlane’, which will assist the UK government in the manufacture of vital medical devices.

Simulation companies have developed open source lung models; Dallara has optimised a Decathlon snorkelling mask; NASCAR is 3D printing face shields and Supercar Championship teams have built their own ventilators. Nearly every motorsport supplier who owns a 3D printer or CNC machine is, at time of writing, manufacturing PPE and/or ventilator parts for the cause.

As every country around the globe continues to face major shortages in breathing aids, test kits, PPE and other hospital equipment, motorsport is stepping up to help where it can.