Despite the suspension of the Formula 1 season, Ferrari continues to be talked about. In the aftermath of the divorce consummated with its driver Sebastian Vettel, the Italian team of F1 announced, Wednesday, May 13, to have taken part in the development of a prototype of artificial respirator which could be developed at low cost within the framework of the fight against coronavirus.

Called FI5, the device was designed by Scuderia in partnership with the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), using instructions provided by hospitals in Milan and Genoa.

Al via la collaborazione tra @ScuderiaFerrari e #IIT per realizzare il progetto di un #ventilatore polmonare che potrà essere utilizzato dalle strutture ospedaliere durante l'ergenza generata da # COVID19 pic.twitter.com/NSO58M4U61

- IIT (@IITalk) May 13, 2020

"We started working on March 21 and the first prototype was ready on April 25," said Corrado Onorato, head of technological innovation for the Italian team, during a press conference call.

Mercedes also involved in a similar project

According to Simone Resta, head of the chassis department, members of several divisions (simulation, 3D modeling, chassis design) were involved in the project, with the agreement of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

The F1 season is indeed stopped and the stables closed, but the FIA ​​has authorized activities related to the Covid-19.

The Mercedes team, Ferrari's big rival on the circuits, had also taken part in a comparable initiative in Great Britain, by putting in the public domain at the beginning of April the plans of breathing apparatuses developed for the health services.

"Faced with the tragic situation of the coronavirus epidemic, we found ourselves faced with a respiratory problem. Not everyone had access to the essential needs in intensive therapy," said Antonello Forgione, surgeon at Niguarda Hospital in Milan.

Two prototypes in the testing phase

"We thought about how to invent a machine that we could make available to everyone, in 'open-source', in a safe, efficient and fast way. We then contacted Ferrari", a- he added.

Two prototypes have therefore been designed and are now ready for a test phase. ITI is looking for partners to then produce them on a larger scale.

"We think it can be done at very low cost," said Giorgio Metta, scientific director of the IIT.

With AFP

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