F1 EXPLAINS: Suits, boots and underwear – what F1 drivers race in

When F1 drivers get dressed for a race, safety is the number one priority. Their gloves, balaclavas, boots, suits and underwear protect them from fire and heat.

But race kit can't slow them down. It needs to be light, comfortable and breathable, with a few special features built-in to help them perform at their best.

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On this episode of F1 Explains, Maurizio Sicco, Consultant at PUMA Motorsport and racewear expert, tells Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill all about F1 race kit: how it's designed and tested, and the special requests drivers make for their customised gear.

To discover the ins and outs of the drivers’ inner and outer layers, simply hit play in the audio player above – or head here to listen to the latest episode of F1 Explains on your preferred podcasting platform.

Leading sportswear brand PUMA make race suits for Mercedes, Sauber, Ferrari and Williams, and the brand new PUMA x F1 collection, available now.