The F1 will display the drivers’ heart rates

Formula 1 could potentially see the display of drivers’ heart rates on-screen. This idea is currently being tested in Formula 2.

The idea of displaying the heart rate can have issues, coming from drivers who would not want these data to be broadcasted. This display could also have problems in terms of sportsmanship. Some might use the heart rate data to gain an advantage in a race.

« Tell a story »

« Obviously, there is one element where you must be careful in terms of writing with the way you present this data. It must be presented in the right way and tell the story,” said Justin Laurie, technical producer at F1 to autosport.

The technical producer of F1 admits that using this data will be complicated but exciting. « Each driver is different, and everyone is physically different, so we have to take all of this into account when we make decisions on how we are going to use this data in the future. But fundamentally, it is a new field for us and it is an exciting field. »

The teams could use heart rate to tell their drivers when to attack another competitor. « I know that teams look at the screens and watch what’s happening. Everything has an advantage, I suppose, so every piece of information is useful for a team. It will be necessary to play in the right way. Hopefully, we will find the right approach and balance. But I believe that the most important thing is to give the audience a new insight into how a driver feels. We will see where that takes us, especially for F1 », Justin Laurie reveals.

Testing with Frederik Vesti

Frederik Vesti was one of the F2 drivers chosen to test this technology that allows for measuring heart rate. The Danish driver used the data collected during the race. « I just watched 10 seconds of the race where I saw my heart rate increase while making an overtaking maneuver. I think it’s a pretty cool thing. »

« I think there is a bit more development to be done on how it feels when you have it, but I think it’s a very good starting point. I think it’s a great addition for fans. They can see what kind of pressure we are under. It’s not just physical pressure, it’s also mental. And I think it shows that quite well », argued the leader of the F2 championship.