Blink and You’ll Crash: Formula One Drivers Blink at Same, Exact Places to Avoid Deadly Accidents

Isaiah Richard, Tech Times 21 May 2023, 11:05 pm

A new study has looked into this limited data of how blinking affects the vision of an F1 driver, where the researchers saw that they blink at the exact spots in the course.

Blinking is a natural involuntary action of a person, but it could also be a potential cause of grave injuries or deaths whenever driving or operating on machines, even in a regular setting. What more if one is driving in Formula One, with their cars accelerating more than 200 miles per hour, zooming past opponents, in tight courses in the competition.

(Photo : Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

F1 Drivers Blink at the Same Spots to Avoid Accidents in Races

A groundbreaking study has shed light on a fascinating phenomenon observed among Formula One drivers, who blink at the same spots to avoid high-speed crashes. The study, recently published in the iScience journal, was conducted by Ryoyo Nishizono and his team from the NTT Communication Science Laboratories in Atsugi, Japan.

Nishizino is a former professional racing cyclist who wanted to know more about this phenomenon and how it applies to fast-paced sports like the F1.

Formula One drivers are known for their lightning-fast reflexes and precise control of their vehicles, which reach staggering speeds of up to 219 miles per hour (354 kilometers per hour). This means that one wrong move could send them straight to the hospital or the grave.

The researchers discovered that these skilled drivers strategically blink at specific points on the track to minimize the risk of accidents.

This Study Looked Into F1 Drivers' Blinking Spots for Safety

As per the Science News report, the researchers analyzed eye-tracking data from multiple Formula One drivers during various races. They found a remarkable pattern: drivers consistently blinked at the same predetermined spots on the track.

The study suggests that by blinking at these specific locations, drivers strategically minimize the impact of visual loss. By momentarily closing their eyes when the track presents fewer critical visual cues, they effectively manage the blink-induced vision loss, ensuring that their attention remains focused on the most crucial aspects of the race.

Formula One and its High-Speed Action

F1 has been a massive part of motorsports since it was introduced in 1946, and back then it was the Turin Grand Prix event. It has evolved a lot to what it is now, with science, engineering, and racing pouring in valuable insights for its development.

Mercedes-AMG is among the companies competing in this but also made hypercars inspired by Formula One, intended for the streets.

Studies are continuously opening up possibilities for the competition's development, but also the safety of its drivers and the team, with the most recent one about blinking.

Understanding how professionals in high-pressure situations optimize their visual perception can have broader implications for various fields, including driver safety, aviation, and other high-performance activities.

The study's findings contribute to the ongoing efforts to unravel the secrets behind the extraordinary abilities of Formula One drivers, who push the boundaries of human performance in the pursuit of speed and victory.