News archive

High reliability fans overcome the challenge of F1 heat

Exhibiting high reliability in often sweltering conditions, Papst fans are again playing an important part in keeping cars, components and drivers cool on the Formula One Racing circuit. Papst is working closely with the Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda Formula One team, providing an increasingly diverse range of cooling solutions for F1 applications.

The team has two race cars, two test cars and two spare cars. Vibration, heat and the tough environment of Formula One make exceptional demands on any equipment used in the sport.

Six Papst 4184NXH fans are used in each of four overhead canopies located in the pit garage to cool the drivers and team personnel working on the cars. For use in the same location, air intake radiator cooling is provided by two, 24V, Papst DV6224 fans. On the starting grid, radiator cooling is provided by two Papst 6212NM fans (12V) where a standard 12V battery supply is readily available.

A Papst 3414NGH fan is used in the air intake manifold situated behind the driver's head, cooling the engine management electronic control unit. This season, Papst 60mm 612NGH fans have also been incorporated into the team's IT and telemetry systems, cooling the flat plasma screens which display critical feedback data and video images on both race and test days.

The switch to DC fans from AC for certain applications has contributed to reduced shipping costs for the team, since the former are around 30% lighter than their AC counterparts.

With considerable in-house experience and technical know-how, Papst is able to work closely with vehicle manufacturers to achieve cooling solutions in a wide range of automotive applications. Those with applications needing high quality cooling should contact Papst who are able to tailor individual solutions for optimum performance.