🏎️ Why Do F1 Drivers Use Tear Off Visor Films?
Have you ever noticed F1 drivers ripping off a thin layer from their helmet visor mid-race and wondered what it is for? These are called tear off visor films — an essential but often overlooked piece of safety equipment in Formula 1.
Made from high-quality optical-grade plastic, tear off films are scratch-resistant, durable, and transparent. As cars race at over 300 km/h, the visor is constantly hit by dust, gravel, insects, and track debris. A dirty visor could blur vision in seconds, so drivers simply peel away the top layer and instantly regain a clear view.
⚡ How Do They Tear Off the Film with Gloves On?
You might think it’s difficult to peel a thin layer with gloves at 300 km/h, but the films are designed for quick use. Each visor has two mounting pegs. Before the race, mechanics fix several layers of tear off films onto the visor. The outermost tab is folded to create a grip point. When a driver removes the first film, the next layer unfolds automatically, ready for the next tear. Even with gloves, drivers can easily locate the tab and rip it away in one motion.
Some drivers, like Sebastian Vettel, even had personal habits—alternating between left and right sides when tearing for consistency.
🚫 Problems and FIA Regulations
Tear off films can cause unintended problems. If discarded carelessly, they may block another car’s brake ducts or air intakes. For example:
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2022 Belgian GP: Lance Stroll’s torn visor film was sucked into Charles Leclerc’s brake duct, forcing an early pit stop.
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2024 Australian GP: Sergio Pérez reported a film stuck under his car, disrupting aerodynamics.
In 2016, the FIA briefly banned drivers from throwing them on track, requiring storage in the cockpit. But this rule was quickly modified, as keeping films inside the car increased distraction and safety risks. Current rules allow disposal on track as long as it isn’t deliberate or reckless.
🌍 The Environmental Concern
Visor films are plastic and not biodegradable. Tossing them onto circuits contradicts Formula 1’s sustainability goals. This has led to research into eco-friendly alternatives:
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Onboard collection – Drivers keep used films inside the cockpit (safer for the track, but distracting).
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Biodegradable films – Already in development but currently lack the same optical clarity.
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Roll-off systems – Used in other motorsports, where dirty layers roll onto a spool. However, this reduces the field of view and risks mechanical failure.
For now, the multi-layer tear off film system remains the best compromise of safety, performance, and practicality.
🔮 The Future of Tear Off Films
Formula 1 continues to balance safety with sustainability. Whether through biodegradable materials or innovative visor systems, future solutions will need to protect drivers, ensure performance, and reduce environmental impact.
So next time you see an F1 driver toss a small transparent strip from their helmet—remember, that little film plays a big role in both safety and speed.
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