I was at the Grand Prix last week, which was a lot of fun this year by the way. Much better than previous events, hot weather, a happy crowd, obviously cool cars and some entertainment off track made for an enjoyable few days. But when watching the Formula 1 cars it always strikes you how the driver is completely detached from reality. Like a robot plugged into the car. You have no relationship with this person, you can never see their emotions when they actually race. This human all dressed up in protection and technology, makes me relate to him as a modern day gladiator. Wearing all their personal markings from helmet to suit, potentially risking life to achieve their goal. Only when their job is done then they strip back all this layering and reveal the stress and emotion placed upon them from the event then the human side comes through.
Thats why I love these images above from Motorsport.com (great website for images from all kinds of racing too). They were taken at a recent Nascar event, what I think is great about them is the way the driver blends in with his surrounds. All the safety protection makes them feel like they are just another device in the car. I feel these images take this observation from before a step further. In terms of an aesthetic approach, its just wonderful with the functional detailing that happens in a race car. All the elements have a purpose to make this car go fast as possible and are so incredibly complex visually. Usually we would try and cover this technology over and make it look "cool" and reinterpret it in another way on a sports car. But here the beauty of the interior is in its rawness and function.
Note: Look at the time this was posted. I should say no more...
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