DURING
a Formula 1 race a driver experiences wrenching forces of more than
4.5G. His heart rate may exceed 180 beats per minute and his blood
pressure could rise by half. With soaring temperatures inside the
cramped cockpit he will also dehydrate, typically losing 2-3 litres of
water during the race. Yet the driver must concentrate well enough to
achieve lap times that might vary by just a tenth of a second. This is
tough, on both mind and body. Hence it is not just the performance of
the car itself which an array of sensors keeps an eye on, wirelessly
transmitting data about the engine, suspension and so on to the pit
crews. The drivers’ own vital signs are constantly monitored, too. Now
such F1 technology is being used to monitor the physical condition of
athletes in other sports, including cycling, rugby and football.Car-racing telemetry began to migrate to other sports a few years ago, but mostly to monitor equipment and measure how it is being used.
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