As part of a trial that started at the Austrian Grand Prix, F1 has begun experimenting with displaying the heart rates of two drivers at each F2 event.
The data is utilised in a new TV graphic, indicating Intensity Level, which is broadcast on the race feed.
It is understood that the F2 experiments are being used to see if the technology is ready and can be adapted for use in F1.
However, beyond the technical aspects of the heart rate monitoring, F1 has acknowledged that there may be issues with drivers not wanting their own data to be broadcast in public.
As well as it being a personal matter, drivers could even feel that rivals may get an advantage if broadcasts show that their heart rate is at an elevated level.
Justin Laurie, technical producer at F1, told Autosport/Motorsport.com that there were some specific sensitivities that would need to be ironed out before it could be used.
“Obviously there’s an element where you have to be editorially careful with how you present that data,” he said. “It has to be presented in the right way and tell the story.
“Every driver is different, and everybody is physically different, so we have to take all of that into account when we’re making these decisions about how we are going to use this data going forward. But fundamentally it’s a new area for us and it’s an exciting area. That’s the main thing.”
Laurie said that, with teams seeking advantage in anything they can find, analysing a rival’s heart rate data could be used to help encourage a team’s own driver to push them even harder.
Source: Autosport