F1 racing teams using their cutting-edge technology to help build ventilators for coronavirus victims
MOTOR racing teams are using their cutting-edge technology to help save lives.
They have joined forces with F1 manufacturers to develop ventilators for patients hit by the virus.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes world champs, Ferrari, Red Bull, Racing Point, McLaren and Williams are all believed to have answered the call for help as the NHS struggles to meet demand.
Car manufacturers including Ford, Honda, Rolls-Royce and JCB have also been asked if their production lines could be used for medical equipment.
The NHS is said to have only around 5,000 ventilators.
PM Boris Johnson is thought to have asked F1, which has seen the first seven races of the season axed or postponed, for help in a conference call on Tuesday
'WORKING FULL-STEAM'
An insider said: “We specialise in engineering complex equipment very quickly.
“We are trying to reverse-engineer a ventilator which could be produced at a fraction of the cost of a regular machine.
“We are working with teams who have a lot of technical expertise, and we are in advanced discussions about how they can add to the supply chain.
"These guys are not currently working on F1 cars so they have the capacity to do this very important work.”
A source at Mercedes said: “Our guys know their onions. They’re working full-steam on this.”
The Agnelli family, who control the Ferrari F1 team and Juventus football club, are donating £9million, 150 ventilators and a fleet of cars to distribute food and medicine in Italy.
A spokesman for F1 said: “The F1 community is engaged in discussions with all the relevant stakeholders regarding this issue with the purpose of providing as much help and assistance as we can.”
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk