Mercedes F1 delivers first breathing aids to COVID-19 patients!

©Mercedes

The Mercedes F1 team has delivered to the University College Hospital in London a breathing device that will help patients with COVID-19.

The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) medical device, which delivers oxygen to the lungs without needing a ventilator, was developed with the help of Mercedes AMG's HPP department in Brixworth, the unit that designs and builds the teams hybrid engines.

Mercedes has so far delivered 40 CPAP devices to UCLH, but a concerted effort by the F1 community - a collective called 'Project Pitlane' - will allow for the production of 1,000 units a day if trials go well.

Collective of F1 teams working on COVID-19 ventilator plan

Britain's National Health Service is currently in need of approximately 30,000 ventilators or breathing aid devices to help support patients suffering from respiratory problems due to the coronavirus.

"The Formula 1 community has shown an impressive response to the call for support, coming together in the ‘Project Pitlane’ collective to support the national need at this time across a number of different projects," explained Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains boss Andy Cowell.

"We have been proud to put our resources at the service of UCL to deliver the CPAP project to the highest standards and in the fastest possible timeframe."

Indeed, UCL senior academic administrator, Professor David Lomas, praised the efforts and speed with which the device has been produced and which "has the potential to save many lives and allow our frontline NHS staff to keep patients off ventilators.

"I would like to pay tribute to the incredible team of engineers and clinicians at UCL, HPP and UCLH, for working round-the-clock to develop this new prototype.

"It is, quite simply, a wonderful achievement to have gone from first meeting to regulator approval in just 10 days. It shows what can be done when universities, industry and hospitals join forces for the national good."

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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.