Fluid delivery systems

It comes as no surprise that the physical effort of racing a Formula One car almost non-stop for over an hour is literally draining. Drivers can lose up to four litres of fluid from their bodies during a Grand Prix, so the need to keep hydrated is paramount. Team McLaren Mercedes has a tried and tested method that ensures the drivers are drinking enough both before and during a race.

Sucking liquid from a hand-held drinks bottle is part of the driver's pre-race preparation, often witnessed on the grid or in the garage. Mark Arnal, Kimi' personal trainer and therapist: "We try and get as much fluid as possible into the driver leading up to the race to make sure they are well hydrated. During the race, the cockpit gets very hot so there will be dehydration, which can effect the driver's performance. Our task is to make sure that dehydration is prevented."

During the race, a slightly more complex system comes into place, with a medical IV drip bag acting as the drinks bottle, situated in the cockpit to the left hand side of the driver. A system of plastic piping and an electric pump transfer the liquid around the inside of the helmet into the driver's mouth. When he wants a drink he pushes a button on the steering wheel to activate the system and inject the fluis, which is a simple solution - water.

Due to the forces acting on the car as it works its way around the circuit, it is conceivable that the drinks system could be activated and then fail to turn off. As sports drinks contain substances such as carbohydrates and can be sticky, it would be uncomfortable for them to be squirted onto the driver's face and cloud the visor, so water is a more practical liquid to use.

There are some important external factors which will influence how much liquid a drivere needs to consume during a race and therefore how much the fluid delivery system is used, as humidity and temperature. Arnall: "A driver always has to be 100% hydrated, but the conditions at each circuit can come into play. In Malaysia, for example, it is very hot and humid and therefore important to consume the drink, because the driver will lose a lot more fluid. In cooler conditions, such as we generally find in European grands prix, that need isn't as great."

Furthermore, the fitness level of the driver and the handling of the car can influence the amount of effort he must put inot driving and thus the amount of fluid he will use. Unlike other components on a Formula One car, the method is unlikely to alter. Arnall: "We've been using this system for a while. So long as it's doing the job there's no reason to change."