F1's Project Pitlane reaches 20,000 medical device orders!

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Project Pitlane, the consortium uniting F1's seven UK-based teams, is helping deliver 20,000 ventilators and breathing aids to NHS hospitals.

The joint effort was formed last month at the instigation of the UK government to support the national effort in producing ventilators and breathing devices to treat COVID-19 patients.

Teams' engineering departments worked around the clock to design and produce components for the dedicated medical devices, and the orders are now coming in.

Mercedes: Production of COVID-19 breathing aid in full swing at Brixworth

Mercedes has repurposed its Brixworth engine factory to help develop and produce a breathing aid, with 10,000 units of the device now on order from the UK government.

This number is in addition to the 10,000 ventilators jointly manufactured and supplied to NHS hospitals around the country.

Unfortunately, a third project known as BlueSky, for which Red Bull and Renault had taken the engineering lead, has been abandoned as the less sophisticated breathing device proved inadequate for the respiratory needs of COVID-19 patients.

However, the BlueSky device hasn't been written off and could be used in specific pathological situations in the future.

A spokesman for F1 praised Red Bull and Renault for their dedication to the project and their engineering skills.

"The F1 team project leads for BlueSky – Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and Renault DP World F1 Team - have shown brilliant dedication and skill throughout the project," said the F1 representative.

"They should feel proud of the work they have undertaken to develop a new device with an NHS Entrepreneur and will continue to provide vital contributions to Project Pitlane.

"The seven teams continue to focus their collective efforts on the two remaining work streams, while standing ready to respond to any further calls for help."

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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.