via Reuters
Formula One F1 – New FIA President Press Conference – Paris, France – December 17, 2021 New FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem during the press conference REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – New FIA President Press Conference – Paris, France – December 17, 2021 New FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem during the press conference REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
The F1 2022 season is moving to the third race of the season in Australia. But ahead of the main race on Sunday, FIA made a mandatory rule that the drivers need to follow to avoid any fire hazards. Further, fans are acting on this rule since it came out.
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F1 continuously trying to make F1 safer and more interesting for the drivers. Already many new rules and regulations came into action this season. However, race principal Niels Wittich asked the drivers not to wear underwear made of non-compliant fabric. Further, he stated every driver would be inspected before the race, whether they were following the rule.
According to the Appendix L of the FIA’s International Sporting Code, the F1 drivers need to wear gloves, balaclava, long underwear, socks and shoes made of those materials which the FIA allowed. The new race principal is strict about these rules as he had fined Formula E driver Lucas di Grass back in 2018 for not wearing compliant underwear.
Fans React to FIA’s Underwear Rule
As soon as the news about the race principal’s instruction to wear non-compliant underwear came out, the fans were going crazy on the internet. As always, fans are divided into two sides, one supporting this rule and the other making fun of it. Undoubtedly, it’s an interesting topic to pique the interests of F1 fans.
Real question, how does wearing something UNDERNEATH fireproof clothing make it less safe?? Wouldn’t that just be another layer?
— Moyers Dad aka Jake (@OMG_ITZ_JAKEE) April 9, 2022
Non-organic underwear can melt and adhere to skin, given enough heat, even under Nomex… this is even a rule at track days I’ve attended. Wear nothing that can melt to you.
— James Loren Smith (@JamesLorenSmit1) April 9, 2022
#leavedriversunderwearalone #F1 😂
— Callum Ilott (@callum_ilott) April 9, 2022
What if one ahem prefers to ‘free solo’ in that department 😆😬
— super-k (@octopus_dragon) April 9, 2022
Well the suits are fireproof for a specific amount of time before they lose their effect. The underwear adds a further layer for the fire to penetrate before reaching the skin.
— Brendan (@hondaf1racing) April 9, 2022
It is to protect them from that internal burning desire to always win each race. The fire from the soul.
— Daniel(not Ricciardo) (@Markets254) April 9, 2022
F1 drivers react to the fireproof underwear
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On Friday, all the F1 drivers attended a two-hour-long drivers briefing. The race director notified the drivers that they won’t be able to wear any decorations like jewellery or bands during a race. But most of the drivers were okay with this instruction but what got their attention was the rule to wear fireproof underwear and also an inspection will take place to verify if the drivers are wearing it or not.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Turkish Grand Prix – Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Turkey – October 7, 2021 AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly during a press conference ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix Pool via REUTERS/Sedat Suna
Most of the drivers understood the steps taken by FIA to ensure their safety. However, there were some drivers who were amazed to hear about this rule. Pierre Gasly reported, “I won’t comment on that. “If they want to check my arse, feel free, I’ve got nothing to hide. My c*ck, everything. If that makes them happy, feel free.”
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Further, Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo showcased their amusement on the matter. The Honey Badger even mentioned that it was his first time hearing about something like fireproof underwear. It would be interesting to see how FIA inspects the drivers about the fireproof underwear this Sunday.
