71 replies to this topic

[Enkei]

It's a cooling device, all pitstopcrewmembers have got an new cooling suit which is liquid cooled.

http://208.50.7.92/f...track/pic06.jpg

http://208.50.7.92/f...k/pic07high.jpg

http://208.50.7.92/f...track/pic09.jpg






The West McLaren Mercedes Team will introduce new temperature controlled team race suits which will be available for the remaining Grands Prix of the season. The specially made systems consist of a cooling unit, a liquid fed suit and a newly developed helmet, all of which have been designed to ensure that the 28 team members involved in a pitstop remain cool and focused while working in the fast paced and intense environment of the race.

The cooling suit is the result of a nine-month project which has been developed in-house and in association with the team's Corporate Partner Hugo Boss and Med-Eng Systems Inc. Designed to supply full torso cooling without compromising user comfort, the all-weather suits provide a controlled environment for the duration of a race. The final part of the new system is the bespoke helmet, which is a full-face design fitted with a flameproof integral retractable visor.

Each suit has a strategically placed intricate network of tubes with the coolant passing between a reflective silver outer covering and multiple layers of Nomex. The technology has been derived directly from research conducted by the European Space programme and carries the European Space Agency (ESA) Technology Transfer logo.

“I am very happy that we have been able to incorporate technology which was originally developed for space travel into the West McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 race team uniforms,” said Pierre Brisson, Head of the ESA Technology Transfer Programme. “Space travel and Formula 1 are similar in that both disciplines work within harsh environments and need the best possible protection from the elements.”

“The personal cooling technology is engineered by the Coretech division of Canada's Med-Eng Systems and is similar to the design flight certified for use on board NASA's Space Shuttle, among other extreme temperature environments,” explains Dr. Jean-Philippe Dionne, Sr. Research Engineer at Med-Eng Systems. “Integrating Coretech systems into the pit crew uniforms will help mitigate the effects of heat stress including loss of concentration and fatigue, thus improving safety and performance in F1 racing conditions. The West McLaren Mercedes team will be operating with an advantage through the system's ability to help maintain acceptable heart rates and increase overall user comfort.”

[KinetiK]

I know it's hard as hell to work in hot/humid conditions but this inane bordering on ridiculous.

[Enkei]

It's a shame I can't edit the topic title

Anyway, that hose looks like if he is going right into the underpants of the pitcrew
Well, that might be refreshing :

[Todd]

How many horsepower does this innovation add, or is it just to keep the sweaty mechanics from seeking shelter in Ronzo's 8-figure double-wide?

[Enkei]

Originally posted by Todd
How many horsepower does this innovation add, or is it just to keep the sweaty mechanics from seeking shelter in Ronzo's 8-figure double-wide?

Only Williams have gained hp this race

[KinetiK]

Originally posted by Enkei
It's a shame I can't edit the topic title

Anyway, that hose looks like if he is going right into the underpants of the pitcrew
Well, that might be refreshing :

I'm hoping those hoses aren't daisy chained, the guy at the end is going to get a mouthful of hand-me-down Chinese food... lol

[Enkei]

[Enkei]

http://a324.g.akamai...e/diapo_043.jpg

The new helmets are neat!

[D. Heimgartner]

[Jdcasas]

Im confused! Is this for real? Or am I watching episode III?

[Todd]

Originally posted by Enkei
http://a324.g.akamai...e/diapo_043.jpg

The new helmets are neat!

Do they think they are going to intimidate Ferrari and Williams-BMW into not kicking their asses all over the circuit?

[Enkei]

Originally posted by Todd


Do they think they are going to intimidate Ferrari and Williams-BMW into not kicking their asses all over the circuit?

They're trying to scare the Ferrari and Williams crew so they don't dare coming out anymore

[Ricardo F1]

Very innovative. Well done McLaren and partners.

[CaptnMark]

I think now would be a good time for the other teams to request that pit stop ban!

[Todd]

Originally posted by Ricardo F1
Very innovative. Well done McLaren and partners.

If they did this in 1998, I'd be thinking they were really building on their dominance. The fact that the best news they've had to promote themselves with is new sports wear and the fanciest trailer park makes me think that Ron has been the victim of a head injury. Someone needs to shake him and yell, "IT'S ABOUT THE CAR, STUPID!!!!"

[Peeko]

How long before they make suits like that for the drivers? Or have they already?

[Todd]

Originally posted by Peeko
How long before they make suits like that for the drivers? Or have they already?

Cool suits were the norm in the early '80s in GT and NASCAR racing, but I haven't seen them lately. The problem is that you need a resevoir for the cooling medium, and that means weight, the enemy of performance. In F1, I don't think it was ever considered a worthwhile trade off. It is better to have a really fit driver and let him suffer for his money.

[Ricardo F1]

Originally posted by Todd


If they did this in 1998, I'd be thinking they were really building on their dominance. The fact that the best news they've had to promote themselves with is new sports wear and the fanciest trailer park makes me think that Ron has been the victim of a head injury. Someone needs to shake him and yell, "IT'S ABOUT THE CAR, STUPID!!!!"

What's you problem Todd - jealous that Michael's team didn't get them first??? Do you honestly think that the development of this technology took ANYTHING away from the development of the car???

Please.

[Peeko]

So these suits didn't cost McLaren a cent??? That is Cool!!!

[Ricardo F1]

Originally posted by Peeko
So these suits didn't cost McLaren a cent??? That is Cool!!!

From the car budget - no, I very much doubt it.

[Peeko]

So what you're saying is the car budget could be bigger.

[Todd]

Originally posted by Ricardo F1
What's you problem Todd - jealous that Michael's team didn't get them first??? Do you honestly think that the development of this technology took ANYTHING away from the development of the car???

Please.

McLaren's ability to adopt 30 year old cool suit technology so that mechanics can tote around water towers on their backs is the most innovative thing they've done since they put 40 year old dune buggy cutting brakes on the MP4-12 and called it something other than 4 wheel steering. I'm jealous that Michael's mechanics aren't dressed like turtle wannabes when he has a car that is better than the McLaren at 8 out of 9 tracks? That isn't where my priorities lie, although you are a good McLaren fan indeed if that is what winds your crank.

Did it take away ANYTHING from the development of the car? You bet. Money spent on gin palaces and playing dress up isn't spent on studying wind tunnel data and studying flame travel in combustion chambers. As a Michael Schumacher and BMW fan, all I can say is keep up the good work, dopes.

[KinetiK]

Originally posted by Todd
...I'm jealous that Michael's mechanics aren't dressed like turtle wannabes when he has a car that is better than the McLaren at 8 out of 9 tracks? ...

9 of 9, we all know Monaco was a fluke.

[Todd]

Originally posted by KinetiK


9 of 9, we all know Monaco was a fluke.

I don't know. McLaren "innovative" use of James Bond's 1965 Q-branch smoke screen technology really tipped the balance in the MP4-17's favor. They used the one on Kimi's car to put a damper on MS in qualifying, and then DC used it to get a gap on JPM and MS in the race.

[Ricardo F1]

Yes, I am totally sure they could employ another hundred people to clean the car factory and make it even more perfect thus allowing the engineers 0.5 second a day quicker access to a spanner. Really guys you are a joke and as bitter as f*** in some cases.

[RV_Canada]

I would be a bit nervous the first time I was putting on a helmet that said "Mucus" on the side.

[917k]

Let's see them do a pitstop quicker with all that **** on

[Todd]

Originally posted by Ricardo F1
Yes, I am totally sure they could employ another hundred people to clean the car factory and make it even more perfect thus allowing the engineers 0.5 second a day quicker access to a spanner. Really guys you are a joke and as bitter as f*** in some cases.

Bitter of what? That McLaren hasn't achieved 100% loser status yet? You have a really strange way of looking at things. If McLaren is doing everything right, why do they under achieve to such a degree? Frank and Ron used to struggle with questions like whether to spend an extra 10 million for the best driver instead of just a top driver. Were Senna or Prost good enough to make up for 10 million less spent on the car? Is a big trailer enough fun to make up for not having the best drivers or spending an extra 10 large on the car?

[Ricardo F1]

I have no idea why you are so bitter Todd, perhaps you should take it up with your therapist. That no one in Formula One is allowed to anything positive or worthwhile without being attached to Michael Schumacher, and anyone who dares to criticize Michael Schumacher immediately becomes a subject of ridicule (despite the fact one chap, named Moss, knows more than you will ever know about racing) is truly a personal problem of yours that I cannot help with.

[Todd]

Originally posted by Ricardo F1
anyone who dares to criticize Michael Schumacher immediately becomes a subject of ridicule (despite the fact one chap, named Moss, knows more than you will ever know about racing) is truly a personal problem of yours that I cannot help with.

Do you even understand why Moss's comments were self contradictory and wrong in every way? Besides, if you believe him, a bunch of nobodies were closer to Fangio than David Coulthard is to Michael Schumacher. Moss may have seen plenty of racing in his day, but his opinions and pronouncements blow with the wind, putting the value of his word into question. Maybe he is the one with the personal problem?

[Ricardo F1]

Again you have to resort to ridicule. If you feel some need to attack McLaren for not focusing on the car then choose a viable case such as Paragon or the Mercedes SLK Supercar project. They might be draining resources. I very much doubt that these implements are.

[Menace]

Originally posted by Ricardo F1
Again you have to resort to ridicule. See a therapist soon, it would be good for all of us. If you feel some need to attack McLaren for not focusing on the car then choose a viable case such as Paragon or the Mercedes SLK Supercar project. They might be draining resources. I very much doubt that these implements are.

Leave the bitter man alone... I dont see why anyone would try to ridicule EVERYTHING that Mclaren does, as much as Todd. :

I think these suits are pretty neat as well, regardless if they make the crew look like "turtles".

[Todd]

Ricardo,

What am I supposed to be bitter about? Michael has to have someone to beat, otherwise the races would be as exciting as a testing day. McLaren has provided cars for Michael to beat. When I write about McLaren's latest folly, it is somewhere between constructive criticism and mere commentary. If you find a thread about the last time that Ron Dennis did something that wasn't pointless or under handed, you'll see that I didn't ridicule him for it.

As to Stirling's latest mutterings, explain how they make sense. You try to create the opposite of an ad hominem argument to give credence to the absurd. His views are illogical, and his supporting arguments rival the explanatory clarity of a glue sniffing squatter. You haven't touched their content in any of your posts, choosing instead to claim that Moss knows more about F1 than I do. Maybe he isn't all there anymore, or maybe he is just a bitter old fart with too few autograph requests, I don't know. I do know a valid argument when I see one, and he isn't providing anything of the kind to support his views.

[Ricardo F1]

If you're not bitter about McLaren or Ron Dennis then why not sit back and applaud a nice piece of innovation that they've brought to F1. Why is it pointless? If it helps the pit crew stay alert, and heaven knows we see enough of them asleep over the years, then surely that's a benefit - possibly even a safety benefit. Maybe the signal guy will be more alert and thus save incidents such as Schumacher running over Nigel Stepneys leg. Whatever the issue I don't see any point in ridiculing something that is a step forward.

As for Sir Sterling - well he's entitled to his opinion as much as anyone else. If it hadn't been critical of Michael you would not have even batted an eyelid about it. As it was you go out of your way to suggest he's senile, a glue sniffer, or just a bitter old fart. My opinion is that I think he was right in some of his statements, some of them not. Just because he and I both concur that Schumacher isn't as good as Senna or Prost means I have less to protest about the rest of his comments. Besides I met the man a few years back, and bitter and senile he's not.

[AyePirate]

http://208.50.7.92/f...track/pic06.jpg

oh, man. The rig looks like "Dr. Evil gets a colostomy"

That is so funny.


Scott Evil : How about just giving the pit crew guys a glass of cold water ?

Ron Dennis: You just don't get it, do you?

[Todd]

Originally posted by Ricardo F1
If you're not bitter about McLaren or Ron Dennis then why not sit back and applaud a nice piece of innovation that they've brought to F1.

Why is it an innovation? Cool suits have been around in racing for more than 20 years, and the technology was used in the US space program before we were born. Throwing it on the grid doesn't make it an innovation. Did nobody else think of it, or did they do the math and decide that weighing down a crew that do a physical job against the clock would be counter productive?

[Ricardo F1]

Well somebody obviously thinks it's a good idea otherwise they wouldn't implement the idea would they? My guess is they have better data to base this opinion on than you do. The innovation is in making the thing as transparent to the wearer, it would seem, as possible - hence making it not counter productive in the first place. Do you honestly think if McLaren so much as though this would lose them .1 of a second in a pitstop they would use them?

Come on Todd be real and just except it as something positive.

[Estwald]

Scott Evil : How about just giving the pit crew guys a glass of cold water ?
Ron Dennis: You just don't get, do you?

[AyePirate]

Originally posted by Ricardo F1
Well somebody obviously thinks it's a good idea otherwise they wouldn't implement the idea would they? My guess is they have better data to base this opinion on than you do. The innovation is in making the thing as transparent to the wearer, it would seem, as possible - hence making it not counter productive in the first place. Do you honestly think if McLaren so much as though this would lose them .1 of a second in a pitstop they would use them?

Come on Todd be real and just except it as something positive.

On the other hand how could they gain much?

This is the Mac pit crew in Malaysia; usually the hottest race on the calendar

They spend 99% of the race in this position. Note the $2 cooling system some of them are holding.

I really do think it's Dr. Evil syndrome, using overly elaborate systems to do an extremely simple job.

[Ricardo F1]

Even just sitting around in those suits is still bloody hot. Being cool all over = more alert. I think it's a welcome addition.

[WDC]

Originally posted by Todd


Why is it an innovation? Cool suits have been around in racing for more than 20 years, and the technology was used in the US space program before we were born. Throwing it on the grid doesn't make it an innovation. Did nobody else think of it, or did they do the math and decide that weighing down a crew that do a physical job against the clock would be counter productive?

did ferrari have some cooling vest for their drivers in sepang '00?

[baddog]

ricardo,

I dont think you could describe me as bitter! but it IS a little bit like asking to be ridiculed to push these big of car prestige projects while your car is lacklustre. its a bit like the BAR carbon fibre bog seats ya know?

Shaun

[WDC]

Originally posted by AyePirate
This is the Mac pit crew in Malaysia; usually the hottest race on the calendar

it probably be cheaper to change their uniform from black to white, black is known to absorb heat.

[Mosquito]

Originally posted by Ricardo F1
Besides I met the man a few years back, and bitter and senile he's not.

Did he make a point of the fact that you kept on calling him Sterling?

[Ricardo F1]

Originally posted by baddog
ricardo,

I dont think you could describe me as bitter! but it IS a little bit like asking to be ridiculed to push these big of car prestige projects while your car is lacklustre. its a bit like the BAR carbon fibre bog seats ya know?

Shaun

No Shaun I wouldn't call you bitter at all. But I don't see what the problem is - the ENGINE is lacklustre which has little or nothing to do with McLaren. They also need to get the tyres working better which only comes from having access to data which they have been gathering as the year goes on. If this project took ANYTHING away from the development of the car then I think you can ridicule it. The chances of that are nil - it wasn't even developed by McLaren but Hugo Boss and the European Space Agency.

[Mosquito]

Couldn't they find a more tactical place for the hoses to go in, except for sticking it up their butts?

[baddog]

Originally posted by Ricardo F1


No Shaun I wouldn't call you bitter at all. But I don't see what the problem is - the ENGINE is lacklustre which has little or nothing to do with McLaren. They also need to get the tyres working better which only comes from having access to data which they have been gathering as the year goes on. If this project took ANYTHING away from the development of the car then I think you can ridicule it. The chances of that are nil - it wasn't even developed by McLaren but Hugo Boss and the European Space Agency.

oh it doesnt ACTUALLY detract from the car.. but it is just like sticking a target on your chest at an archery range, you are ASKING for arrows. its like ferrari in austria. they didnt ACTUALLY do anything wrong but they nonetheless should have known the brickbats would come. When things arent going well you keep a low profile on anything that could invite ridicule, it makes sense.

Shaun

[Foxbat]

First Mika, now cyborg pitcrews wtf is going on in the Paragon bunkers

[hook]

Originally posted by Mosquito
Couldn't they find a more tactical place for the hoses to go in, except for sticking it up their butts?

I wonder if the liquids are actually flowing "in" or flowing "out" the body...might be just a "urine recycling system" so they don't have to leave the pit area, just in case of an unscheduled pit stop.

[confucius]

Like we said in another thread, it may not look nice (far from ridiculous I think) but at least the crew's well-being is thought of.