‘Project Pitlane’ launched to develop ventilators

Jamie Woodhouse
UK teams launch "Project Pitlane" to develop medical equipment for COVID-19 sufferers.

UK teams launch "Project Pitlane" to develop medical equipment for COVID-19 sufferers.

The UK government has confirmed that seven F1 teams have launched “Project Pitlane” to develop ventilators to help coronavirus sufferers.

It comes after the government called for assistance in the development of ventilators and medical equipment to help the worst-affected sufferers from COVID-19 which attacks the lungs.

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, BWT Racing Point F1 Team, Haas F1 Team, McLaren F1 Team, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, Renault DP World F1 Team and ROKiT Williams Racing, who are all based in the UK, will combine their efforts under “Project Pitlane” and focus on three key workstreams.

The F1 website report that these three streams will vary in scope from reverse engineering existing medical devices, to support in scaling the production of existing ventilator designs as part of the VentilatorChallengeUK consortium, to the rapid design and prototype manufacture of a new device for certification and subsequent production.

The seven teams and their technology arms will pool their resources and efforts into these areas, with Formula 1 seen as a key sector for designing cutting-edge technology under strict time frames.

In full, the statement on the Formula One website read: “The seven teams’ combined efforts, termed ‘Project Pitlane’, are part of a UK industry-wide effort to manufacture and deliver respiratory devices to support the national need.

“Project Pitlane is focused on three workstreams. These workstreams vary in scope from reverse engineering existing medical devices, to support in scaling the production of existing ventilator designs, to the rapid design and prototype manufacture of a new device.

“Project Pitlane will pool the resources and capabilities of its member teams to greatest effect, focusing on the core skills of the F1 industry: rapid design, prototype manufacture, test and skilled assembly.

“F1’s unique ability to rapidly respond to engineering and technological challenges allows the group to add value to the wider engineering industry’s response. The seven teams remain ready to support in other areas requiring rapid, innovative technology responses to the unique challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

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