Engineers at the Bahrain International Circuit have worked with the country’s Ministry of Health to design breathing apparatus for those diagnosed with the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Motorsport has been shutdown for an indefinite period since the virus was declared a pandemic, with various teams and organisations using their resources to help the cause.
Formula 1’s seven UK-based teams have formed Project Pitlane to help with the VentilatorChallengeUK, while Ferrari has produced equipment to be used in its native Italy.
BIC has hosted Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix since 2004 and this year was set to welcome the championship on March 22, until the pandemic forced the event to be postponed.
A breathing aid, suitable for patients in need of ventilation support but who are not in a critical condition, has been designed and produced from scratch by BIC engineers in co-operation with the Ministry of Health.
Two different types of ventilator were designed to the specifications set out by experts at the Salmaniya Medical Complex, and both have been approved for use after extensive testing.
The devices are now being produced at a dedicated facility at BIC following an initial order of 100 by the Ministry of Health.
BIC has confirmed that the design blueprints will be made free of charge to organisations worldwide.
“At a time of global crisis, we have been seeking ways in which the BIC can support the fight against COVID-19,” said Fayez Ramzy Fayez, BIC Chief Operating Officer.
“Our engineers have met that challenge by designing a ventilator system specifically to support those suffering from COVID-19.
“As this is a global effort, we are happy to make these designs available to other organisations around the world who are seeking to find similar solutions.”
