I was reading that F1 drivers have to withstand really high temperatures consistently during a race and don’t have A/C. How come they’re hot if there’s wind coming at them really fast throughout the entire race?
In: Physics
Their drinks bottle / bag is also packaged away close to a radiator so is never cold and quite possibly very hot to drink.
There are so many factors to consider here, but one I don’t think I’ve seen is that the track surface itself can get very hot, 40 degrees Celsius+ at times, and all they really have between them and it is a thin sheet of carbon
There isnt much wind coming at them. They are fully enclosed in a cockpit with only about half their head sticking out and that part is covered by a helmet. They have added an air duct this season that flows a tiny amount of air into the cockpit but it’s really small because this technically slows the car down. Additionally, they are wearing multiple layers of fireproof clothing which don’t breathe at all. They are also sitting directly in front of an engine that puts out around 800 HP and they are physically exerting themselves. So imagine doing a workout in a gym with the heater on dressed like it’s the middle of winter. It get very hot. And when it’s humid, your body can’t release the heat
Many reasons actually
1) most of their bodies are actually inside the car, not exposed to the elements
2) they wear a few layers of protective gear
3) they sit really close to the engine, the temperature inside the car can get upwards of 50c
4) physical stress on the body while driving at such speeds
5) outside temperatures also have an impact
Despite the fast wind, F1 drivers experience extreme heat due to several factors. Their bodies generate heat from physical exertion, while the car’s engine and other components radiate heat. Plus, the cockpit lacks airflow, trapping heat and raising temperatures inside.
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