F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Grosjean hopes to see more outings for 'camera glasses'

Romain Grosjean got a try out a brand new piece of technology at the Canadian Grand Prix last weekend.

The Haas driver was asked to wear a pair of 'camera glasses' during his installation lap at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Friday morning.

Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly had previously been given the glasses to try out in Monaco.

The sturdy frames are fitted with a small camera to record genuine 'driver's eye' footage of what they see out on track and in the cockpit.

“When you see the images, you actually see the speed of the car, the work on the steering wheel, the vibrations," Grosjean told Motorsport.com afterwards. "People can really experience what we do.

“Modern cameras are so good and stable that you do not even feel that there are vibrations on the track.

“Here you get to see much more," he said. "I really hope they are going to push something to put it in a helmet, or get more of that footage, because it’s awesome.

"This is going to be the best. The closest you can get. When you look at the footage and then you play the latest Formula 1 game, it’s pretty much the same.

But while he was a fan of the concept, Grosjean wasn't nearly so happy with the execution of the prototype frames he was trying out in Montreal.

“It was very painful,” Grosjean admitted. “The glasses are not comfy, and a bit big, but it’s a first test.

“They don’t fit very well in the helmet and you can really only use them for an installation lap.

“But I love the idea and that’s why I said yes - even though I was pushing like fudge to get them in!

“I think it’s our role [to help develop new technology],” he added. “It’s our sport. I love this sport, and if I can help in some way I would always say yes.

“We will look at other solutions," he added. "Perhaps mounted in the padding or on the helmet."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Sainz samples new Madring: ‘You’ve created quite a cocktail’

The Spanish Grand Prix’s future home is still surrounded by construction barriers, deadlines and heavy…

15 hours ago

Ten years on: Marko reveals Horner resisted Verstappen promotion

Helmut Marko has revealed that Max Verstappen’s in-season promotion from Toro Rosso to Red Bull…

17 hours ago

Schumacher and Irvine paint the town red in Monaco

On this day in 1999 in Monaco, a dominant Michael Schumacher secured his 35th career…

19 hours ago

Rosenqvist finds 233 mph magic at Indy on Fast Friday

Sometimes at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, speed doesn’t build gradually – it arrives like it…

19 hours ago

McLaren powers up: Intel returns to F1 after 20-year hiatus

Nearly two decades after its last high-speed venture in Formula 1, American computing giant Intel…

21 hours ago

Verstappen admits to 'super tough' Nürburgring 24 Hours qualifying

Max Verstappen’s Nürburgring 24 Hours debut is already delivering the kind of storyline only he…

22 hours ago