F1's New Thermal Imaging Cameras Are The Ultimate In Cool
Formula One Management recently introduced a new feature to its F1 coverage: Thermal imaging cameras.
The device made its debut during first practice at the historic Monza circuit and was fitted to Paul Di Resta's Force India VJM06. The camera remained in place throughout the race weekend and has been celebrated by fans and high profile F1 personnel alike.
The thermal imaging camera shows the heat of the tyres and the continuous temperature changes that take place as a driver tackles an F1 circuit.
Fitting the camera to Paul Di Resta's car proved to be both a curse and a miracle as the Scot crashed out of the race on the first lap. However, it created this fantastic spectacle:
The camera returned for the Singapore Grand Prix and was fitted to numerous cars, FOM reacting to the demand for more from the fans. The camera was also used in a number of different positions, including looking back at the rear tyres.
Pirelli's motorsport director Paul Hembery gave the new addition the thumbs up, saying: "It was great wasn't it? It's the sort of thing we use in our own development work. We fit, I think, seven infra-red cameras across the tyre and do some quite complex data collection."
He added: "The really clever bit is actually the transformation of the readings into usable data. I was asked what the colours represent; I don't know because I haven't been involved in the calibration. But it gives you an idea of where the heat builds up on the tyre going round and it shows that they don't have an easy life."
The fans have also spoken; we asked you on Twitter what you thought of the new addition to the F1 coverage:
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