RE: F1 From The Driver's Perspective
Thursday 20th October 2011
F1 From The Driver's Perspective
'First ever' claim for F1 'eye-cam' video with di Grassi
This is pretty cool - Pirelli's test driver Lucas di Grassi strapped a camera to his helmet for a lap of the Circuit de Catalunya, giving us what's claimed to be the first ever F1 footage that's truly from the driver's line of sight.
"I had to drive with only one eye open as the camera was blocking my other eye, quite tricky," said the star of the show after the lap was recorded.
If you want to know how difficult driving with one eye is, try it on your way home around the M25 tonight - but do make sure you try it with the good eye open.
(Er no, don't do that! Ed.)
Discussion
goodhand said:
This is interesting. As a sidenote, whilst watching some of the footage from Sunday's tragic Indy accident, some of the in-car cameras appear to rotate. Not sure if they do this at set intervals, or whether they can be controlled somehow...
I think they're controlled from the "pit" 
TonyHetherington said:
No longer avaliable. 
Getting back to the Lucas Di Grassi video. I found it pretty cool to see what the driver can see.
I think the nose is quite long, you can't see the front wing*.
*Edit: From that view.
I think this is it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlWhQJszC1I
I dont think it is at his eyeline this recent one although it is interesting to compare some of the differences like the steering wheel etc. Both really interesting vids though.
I dont think it is at his eyeline this recent one although it is interesting to compare some of the differences like the steering wheel etc. Both really interesting vids though.
Good little video that but as kambites spotted, the view in the mirrors looks odd.
Perhaps that was because the camera was actually mounted an inch or so above his eyeline? There aren't any picutres of the helmet with the camera fitted after all and do we seriously beleive that they let him go out without binocular vision?
I once read that the absolute limit of what is/could be possible in F1 is as much to do with the limitations of human eyesight as anything else. A car could havehave so much grip with ground effect that it could be made to go around a corner faster than any 'human' could deal with. Fighter Pilots are exposed to more force but they are generally in the same plane (geddit?) and have anti-G suits...
Saying that there are other examples in sport where reality means that a skilled player can 'defy' what is generally accepted to be humanly possible. Ping Pong, fast bowling etc.
Perhaps that was because the camera was actually mounted an inch or so above his eyeline? There aren't any picutres of the helmet with the camera fitted after all and do we seriously beleive that they let him go out without binocular vision?
I once read that the absolute limit of what is/could be possible in F1 is as much to do with the limitations of human eyesight as anything else. A car could havehave so much grip with ground effect that it could be made to go around a corner faster than any 'human' could deal with. Fighter Pilots are exposed to more force but they are generally in the same plane (geddit?) and have anti-G suits...
Saying that there are other examples in sport where reality means that a skilled player can 'defy' what is generally accepted to be humanly possible. Ping Pong, fast bowling etc.
Lets Torque said:
Getting back to the Lucas Di Grassi video. I found it pretty cool to see what the driver can see.
I think the nose is quite long, you can't see the front wing
Yup, it looked very long and thin, quite interesting! I did wonder though if it was the camera lens exaggerating that a little, though. Drivers definitely can't see the front wing - neither it's extremes nor the front.I think the nose is quite long, you can't see the front wing
scubadude said:
Given the seating position I was surprised they could see that much! No chance of knowing where your front wing is though :-)
On a side note- we need those rotating indy car cams in F1, superb.
If you ask Massa, every F1 driver should know where their front wing is, especially Lewis On a side note- we need those rotating indy car cams in F1, superb.
It's a shame that F1 fans will never get to understand what the g forces are like. In a fast corner, the sustained lateral g is the same as the UK's maddest rollercoaster (Stealth at Thorpe Park) pulls longitudinally for just a split second. And you're not screaming with your eyes shut, you're delicately controlling a Formula One car, often with other drivers inches from you. For two hours. Totally insane 
TonyHetherington said:
Didn't Coulthard once strap a camera to his crash helmet in a GP (one of his final ones) I seem to remember?
Bang on Tony he did. It was his final race and he crashed out at the beginning but the view during quali was amazing. I've been very disappointed that we've not seen these cameras used since.This isn't a "first ever" view but doesn't make it any less awesome!
Edited by E36GUY on Thursday 20th October 12:11
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