Collective of F1 teams working on COVID-19 ventilator plan

©Mercedes

F1 and a group of teams are putting their engineering resources to good use, helping the UK health authorities increase the country's supply of medical equipment to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Ventilators and respiratory devices are crucial for intensive care units across the country to keep alive those infected with the COVID-19 disrease.

But hospitals are running short on supply, leading the government to call upon several engineering sectors to immediately help boost capacity.

According to the BBC, Britain is in need of an extra 20,000 ventilators to deal with the crisis as it unfolds in the coming months.

Ferrari set to join efforts to help Italy build ventilators

A statement from F1 said: "A collective of UK-based Formula 1 teams, engine manufactures and their respective technology arms is evaluating support for the manufacture of respiratory devices in response to the UK government's call for assistance.

"The teams are working in collaboration with F1, the UK government and other organisations to establish the feasibility of the teams producing, or supporting, the production of medical devices to help in the treatment of coronavirus patients.

"All the teams have expert design, technology and production capabilities, and specialise in rapid prototyping and high-value manufacturing, which is hoped can be applied to the critical needs set out by government.

"Working with Innovate UK, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult team and University College London and UCL hospitals, the teams are evaluating a number of routes to support in conjunction with existing manufacturers and organisations from the aerospace and automotive sectors.

"It is hoped this work, which is being rapidly progressed, will produce a tangible outcome in the next few days."

The engineering departments of Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren and Williams are all set to respond to the UK's call, while Ferrari is also helping Italy's dramatic quest to boost its ventilator production.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.