FORMULA ONE drivers could soon be forced to wear special biometric underwear that checks their vital measurements.
Red Bull star Max Verstappen is among the big names being set to slip into a high-tech vest that could lead to lives being saved.
Verstappen is among those drivers set to wear the new biometric vest
The design for the VISM or Vital Signs Monitor, has now been approved by the sport’s governing body, the FIA.
The VISM is fireproof and will measure and transmit a driver’s heart rate and breathing statistics to their team and medics during a race.
It will allow doctors to see a driver’s vital signs before, during and after a crash, giving them crucial data before they arrive on the scene.
The underwear is made by Marelli and OMP Racing and processes biometric data in real time.
It marks a significant improvement from the current biometric glove that drivers have to wear that has just one sensor.
Teams can use the data that is collected to help monitor the stress and fatigue of their driver in the cockpit mid-race.
Riccardo De Filippi CEO of Marelli said: “VISM is a tool for professional drivers to monitor biometric data.
“We believe this experience is a major step forward in the development of safety systems as well as active driver aids, for passenger cars too.”
Meanwhile, F1 bosses want to host two races in China this season.
The high-tech vest has had the go ahead from the sport’s governing body
The Chinese Grand Prix was one of the first sporting events to be postponed due to coronavirus.
The race was scheduled for April 19, but was quickly shelved by bosses as the crisis swept across China.
However, despite concerns over a second wave in Beijing, F1 bosses are speaking to organisers about two races in Shanghai.
Xu Bin, director of the city sports bureau, said: “This was proposed by the F1 management company.
“Everyone knows F1 has officially announced they have resumed the first eight European races this year, but none of them are in Asia.
“We are still communicating with F1 to see if there is any possibility of two races in Shanghai, but there is no final decision yet.
“Of course, we should see how the virus is being controlled.”
While there has been a significant drop in coronavirus cases in Shanghai, China is now trying to stop a fresh outbreak in the capital Beijing.
F1 is due to kick off its season in Austria on July 5, although races in Singapore, Japan and Azerbaijan have now been axed.
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
