Why You Need to Care about Sun Damage as an F1 Fan and How to Do It

During the last Italian Grand Prix weekend, many teams had to adjust to the sweltering weather conditions in Italy. Due to this heat, teams had to increase the operating temperature of the energy recovery system, which may have also led to excessive temperatures in the cockpit and cars. Andrew Shovlin, trackside engineering director at Mercedes, explained that the ambient hit, combined with the friction of the cars’ skid blocks with the ground, led to a buildup of heat in the cockpits.

The cars' internal temperatures also exceeded those of the drivers’ bodies, making them unable to cool down effectively. It had been a scorching weekend in Monza, leading to the car seat and engine functioning at a rather high temperature. It's no secret that every F1 team worries about the slightest temperature change, whether racing in a desert or otherwise, as extreme heat can affect the driving dynamics of a sensitive Formula 1 car. However, aside from impacting drivers and teams, the sun can also cause damage to F1 fans watching live. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the effects of sun damage and share some sun safety tips for F1 fans:

The effects of sun damage

While a certain level of sun exposure is healthy for your body to get the nutrients it needs, it’s important not to stay exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays for long periods. For reference, a typical Grand Prix F1 race takes about 90 minutes, and racers are technically provided two hours to complete all the laps. For fans watching live, this means hours of sitting or standing in the hot sun, which can be a problem depending on the location of the Grand Prix.

Over the years, health experts have warned about the effects of long-term sun exposure. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can make the skin less elastic, making the texture thicker, leathery, wrinkled, or even thinned like tissue paper. Exposure to UVB rays leads to sunburn, which can be uncomfortable at best and painful at worst, culminating in symptoms like headache, fever, nausea, and fatigue in cases of severe sunburn.

As such, ensuring you’re well-prepared for your F1 live viewing experience is essential. Whether you’re a long-time F1 viewer or preparing for your first time at the Grand Prix, below are some must-pack tips for F1 fans:

Sun safety tips for F1 fans

Besides extreme heat, watching F1 races under the sun can also mean more glare, depending on the time of day and the location. Sun glare is an incredibly harsh, blinding light that can understandably negatively impact your viewing experience during races. As such, you’ll want to equip yourself with a pair of polarized or anti-glare sunglasses. Compared to conventional shades that darken your view, polarized sunglasses have specially coated lenses that eliminate glare and harsh light reflections, allowing you to see clearly even in the sunniest conditions.

Eyewear retailer Eyebuydirect’s selection of polarized sunglasses comes in various styles and shapes, from the aviator-inspired Good Vibrations to the chic, chunky frames of the Parasol and Nevada that come in different colorways. In case you already own a pair of eyeglasses for vision correction or style purposes, Eyebuydirect also offers polarized coating upgrades for prescription and non-prescription eyewear, as well as an additional mirrored tint if you’d like to combine style and function at the race tracks.

If you plan to attend afterparties once the races are over, you can also consider photochromic or transition sunglasses that automatically adjust lens tints depending on the lighting. Transitions, a photochromic lens company, recently launched the new Gen S, the fastest-transitioning photochromic lens on the market today. Various eyewear brands also support transition lenses, so you can find a pair that suits your needs and preferences.

Of course, sunglasses are only a part of the puzzle. Many F1 viewers emphasize the importance of bringing water to stay hydrated and wide-rimmed hats to provide much-needed shade. This would also be a great time to sport some merch and support your favorite teams; for example, Ferrari has partnered with Puma since 2005 for their hats, jackets, and bags, so you can rock some of this gear while staying cool during the races.

Sunscreen is also essential for your day at the tracks. At the recent Formula 1 Pirelli Italian Grand Prix, the Italian League for the Fight Against Cancer partnered with the Autodromo Nazionale Monza to provide sunscreen dispensers throughout the circuit. The dispensers work autonomously and are powered by a built-in solar panel, providing attendees with SPF 50 sunscreen dispensed automatically and hygienically.

All of these sun protection products work together to shield you from the worst effects of UV rays, so don’t forget to prepare these for your next lap at a live F1 race.