The F1 racing events were officially started in the 1950s. Since then, it has come a long way in terms of F1 racing cars, racing tracks and driver’s protection. A number of safety gears were included as a part of the racing suit, F1 helmet is one of them. It is used as a protective headgear to secure drivers from a head injury in case of an accident.
Let’s discuss the Formula 1 helmet, its manufacturing, purpose and types in more detail.
History of Racing Helmets
The concept of protective headgear while driving was introduced at the start of the 20th century. At that time, a leather cap and goggles were used as a helmet. Sometimes, primitive eyewear was attached to the cap for better vision.
Later, the leather cap was replaced by a hard-shelled helmet, similar to that used by Polo players. Bell introduced the first mass-produced F1 helmet in 1954. These helmets were most effective at that time and were also safety certified.
After a driver suffered a fatal head injury in 1957, the helmet was considered a necessary part of the F1 race. Since then, using customised helmets has been a trend among racers. You can witness a number of drivers wearing uniquely styled helmets on Dubai race tracks.
Types of F1 Helmets
Since it became a general safety equipment, different variations and improvements have been introduced. Currently, there are two major types of F1 helmet designs used by the drivers.
A full-face helmet that is designed to cover the head, chin and jaw. This helmet design was inspired by the dirt bike racer’s helmet. The second is a half-face helmet that only covers the head and has a transparent protective shield on the front. It is a more popular type of helmet, as it provides a complete peripheral view during the race.
Manufacturing of F1 Helmet
The F1 driver helmet is made from carbon fibre, which is also used in the manufacturing of F1 steering wheels. For professional drivers, companies manufacture a custom F1 helmet. In fact, the process of manufacturing starts from measuring the dimensions of the driver’s head.
The base of Formula 1 racing helmets is prepared from moulding expanded polystyrene. Whereas, clear polystyrene is mould to make the outer layer of the helmet. All the layers and fibre are joined together before the base painting. After this process, different graphics and animations are painted on the helmet as per the driver’s demand. In the final step, a special steel collar and the water pipe is installed. The helmets are then forwarded for the final safety testing.
Final Testing of Helmets
As per the safety standard, an F1 helmet should be durable, lightweight and fireproof. Special electronic devices are used to test the strength of helmets. The ready-to-deliver helmet is dropped from a height of 25 metres, and passed if remain intact. For further testing, a gram bullet is fired at a speed of 519 km/h. Therefore, many people also called F1 helmets a bulletproof helmet.
For fireproofing, the helmet must withstand a temperature of 700°C for not less than 45 seconds. Any helmet weighing more than 5 kg fails to pass the safety standards.
Cost of Helmets
The F1 driver helmet is specially designed to be used in sports cars. These are the finest kind of helmets used in motor racing. Along with safety, it also provides support to the driver’s vertebral column while driving at high speed. These helmets are available in the UAE with a starting price AED 2000.
This was all about F1 helmets. The usage of F1 helmets is not restricted to the F1 cars only. It can be used in any high-speed vehicle. If you are interested in driving supercars, browse through these used cars for sale in the UAE.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information on F1 helmets.
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