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What It Really Looks Like To Drive a Formula One Car

Photo of John Shury John Shury July 17, 2012
266 7 Less than a minute

In this video you join Lucas di Grassi driving a lap of Spa in the wet using for the first time a new eye level camera.

This camera is mounted either just above or to one side of the drivers eye, on this lap Lucas drove with one eye covered by the camera to let you see exactly what the driver would see.

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266 Comments

  10. Yeah this is quite a bit higher than the real view tbh, just look at the mirrors to prove that..!

  14. Whats with the dislikes? Love that brutal acceleration only an F1 car can deliver…Major props for doing this in these conditions..

  15. That’s because the camera is closer to the mirrors than his eyes are, thus with that angle making them look lower to the ground on the mirrors rather than the horizon.

  20. The camera surely sticks out a bit, so make it a little further back, and then it’s true eye level.

  25. Great video! but I want to see a modified cam so the driver has 2 eyes to see on a balls to the walls dry hotlap. Still good lap in the rain with one eye

  26. Eau Rouge in the wet, behind a wet visor, with one eye and still 140+ km/h, 2 feet off the ground, love it.

  39. Inndeed, but the point of this video is to show the drivers POV at an eye-view level, something Bruno did, albeight with his iphone.

  54. One complete lap at spa. Pit out, pit in. AAAGGHHHH!!! Thank You! AAAGGHHHH,AAAGGHHHH!!! Thank you for the best driver’s view I have seen yet!

  56. Description quote:”I had to drive with only one eye open as the camera was blocking my other eye, quite tricky”

  60. People complaining the lap is slow, have you even read the description! He is only looking through one eye. The camera is blocking one of his eyes.

  61. People complaining the lap is slow, have you even read the description! He is only looking through one eye. The camera is blocking one of his eyes.

  73. it’s Lotus-Renault R30 actually, the challenger for F1 2010 season. for 2011 tyre testing, Pirelli used the Toyota.

  75. Shit all the eye level cameras are such slow ass laps. I am considering that this was in rain but they dust even let him out long enough to heat the tires and I’m waiting desperately to see an eye level camera on a hot lap. If it messes with depth perception I guess but I know they have microscopic cams thy could put right above the visor. Come on!!

  76. Shit all the eye level cameras are such slow ass laps. I am considering that this was in rain but they dust even let him out long enough to heat the tires and I’m waiting desperately to see an eye level camera on a hot lap. If it messes with depth perception I guess but I know they have microscopic cams thy could put right above the visor. Come on!!

  82. ”I still think its a little bit higher then eye level. Cause i can’t really see anything at the back on the rear view mirror. Unless he set the mirror like that” Yeah that’s what i was thinking, Its just above the eye i’d say.

  86. a câmera não está no nível do olho, está pregada na parte de cima do capacete. Tem um video aqui mesmo no youtube que mostra Di Grassi preparando a câmera acima do capacete.

  91. I believe it’s the TF110 that Toyota was going to use for the 2010 F1 season before Toyota pulled out of the sport now it belongs to Pirelli as a test car for their tyres

  93. I still think its a little bit higher then eye level. Cause i can’t really see anything at the back on the rear view mirror. Unless he set the mirror like that.Still an awesome angel!!

  94. Usually, people aren’t allowed to drive or ride or mount if one of their eyes cant see, as the instinctive perception of depth relies on the diference of points of view from one eye to the other (as they are spaced out).As such, I very much doubt it this f1 driver would subject himself to driving with one eye closed and that the higher ups would permit it.Plus, the angle of his focal point with the steering wheel seems like you are in a normal car, which makes me say this is a regular camera.

  103. The video title does say “eye-level camera”, and it’s not. You can see the end of the nosecone in this video, drivers can’t. You’d have to have a camera actually inside the helmet to get the right POV and angle, this camera is still too high.Even given that, it’s still an awesome watch. Shame about the terrible audio, less wind and more engine would have been great 🙁

  104. The video title does say “eye-level camera”, and it’s not. You can see the end of the nosecone in this video, drivers can’t. You’d have to have a camera actually inside the helmet to get the right POV and angle, this camera is still too high.Even given that, it’s still an awesome watch. Shame about the terrible audio, less wind and more engine would have been great 🙁

  106. I have driven Spa in the wet, this video is the truest view I have seen of what it is really like in the cockpit. Thank you for putting it up. I was not, by the way in an F1 car, I was in a Caterham Blackbird.

  109. its a myth that F1 drivers are the best in the world- they are merely the best of the TINY %age of gokarters that could secure the HUGE amounts of money needed to go on with the game. eg Webber and Ricciardo werent even the best drivers in their little kart clubs in Australia, yet they were the two who had the money to go overseas to race cars. Its the same in all countries – except maybe England – MANY better drivers are left marooned in karts with no financial life raft to get off that island

  112. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him – JESUS CHRIST CAN SAVE YOU – CALL HIM NOW

  113. -_____- there no telling how many times I have hit the orange thing going into the pit at 3:09 on F1 2011. Then when im playing online and winning here at Spa,I always try to creep around that part.lmao

  126. its good, but i prefer the traditional T-cam above the air intake… granted it doesnt giv u the same level of realism in terms of the drivers perspective, but you can see alot more and its fixed, where ofcourse this one moves about alot.

  133. That was a very, very safe lap. With 2 eyes he could have been MUCH faster.But what team was it? The colours would be like Team Stealth-Fighter.

  140. In this video, everyone thinks “eye level” is a lie, what people think is higher than eye level is actually the fact a camera is about 10cm in front of the eye, so the angles on mirrors and wheels is different. It’s eye level but it’s not in his eye socket. Seriously, these armchair f1 pro’s can’t even figure geometry out.

  147. Agreed:) Note: Don’t mean to annoy you, but I don’t think we should bug this video saying its title is wrong. It’s close enough:)

  149. It isn’t, look at the link in my comment that is the only eye level camera they’ve been able to put on a helmet, as you can obviously see in that video him close his visor around the camera the one in this video is on the top front of his helmet so quite a bit higher than his eyes so it doesn’t get in the way you can see that aswell by looking at the mirrors all you can see is the ground.

  150. I believe this is eye level. Just the camera is probably placed outside of the helmet (in front of one his eyes) causing the reflections in the mirrors to be facing downwards.

  151. actually there are chinese cameras you can buy on ebay for about 10$ that would allow an eye level recording without the need to put the camera over an eye i’m amazed that F1 engineers cant get it, i would be able to put it togheter a working camera in a couple of days.

  154. I hope that something similar, as far as driver’s POV is concerned, will be introduced to F1 broadcasts sooner or later, because from now on usual on board cams on the top of a F1 car suck…

  155. Just to let you all know he actually drove this lap with vision in just ONE eye. The camera was placed over one of his eyes, which one I can’t remember correctly but they were discussing this lap during the buildup to the British GP. Bare in mind it’s only an installation lap as well but still, to drive an F1 car seeing out of one eye is more than impressive.

  156. He actually drove with the camera over one eye, so he was driving the car with vision out of just one eye. They were speaking about it on the build up to the British GP.

  158. Didn’t know eye level meant the top of their helmet 😛 their eyes are level with the mirrors just fyi so what they see is ALOT lower than this video…look at watch?v=wpLjvkh4hQE for a proper eye level view of a f1 car.

  159. I’ve been in an F1 cockpit before. If you watch the video carefully, you’ll see that the front edges of the front brake ducts are visible in some parts. There’s NO way can see that. This camera is mounted at least 2-3cm higher than the eye level. And it makes a HUGE difference.

  160. maybe they did, as it says Quote:” I had to drive with only one eye open as the camera was blocking my other eye, quite tricky” if any1 bovers to open the show more bit….

  167. In my opinion, this might be the best in-car video I’ve ever seen. The technology is amazing. When you compare it to Vettel’s camera duct taped to the outside of his helmet at eye level, this is about 100 times better. You really, really get to see what the driver sees, and what he’s looking at.The speed Luca is carrying on a wet Spa track is actually somewhat frightening. Spa is treacherous enough when dry, but damn.

  188. wow this video exploded everywhere. I wonder where most of you people came from obviously there’s not that much subscribers on Luca’s channel.

  189. you’re right. People dont see, that it is just a test-run. It was the outlap under wet conditions.Also his camere is “eye-leveld” on the outside of the helmet. Driving with it doesnt make it more easy for the driver!I hate those idiots who think this video is crap or sth…

  193. see the violent correction at 1:25 …. compare to how much was required to do a 90 degree turn at the beginning of the clip when he pulled out of the garage,

  196. It’s not eye level, because if it were the drivers would be able to see properly the mirrors. Check the mirrors and you’ll se what I’m talking about.

  202. Is that speedo in MPH!?!?!?!?! I mean I can well believe it hitting over 280 mph with the right gearing but it’s nice to know for sure. And I think the time is damn fast considering he had ONE EYE CLOSED! and it was WET!

  204. lol m8 ur grandma drives with 300km/h?? i believe is really fast if u consider he do 3 min 1 and half laps… 2min the lap. in race condition in wet the faster lap is 1:54.355 if i am not wrong from M.Schumacher. so u still thing is slow???

  213. I won’t say it isn’t eye level, but shouldn’t we be able to see the side mirrors as he does? or does he intentionally points them inwards/downwards?

  214. For those saying this isn’t eye level: The focal length of the lens has a lot to do with why you’re not seeing the mirrors and such.

  217. It is eye level, but I feel like the view we see is much further forward. If you look at the mirrors, all we see is the asphalt, meaning it’s either a high pov, or further forward pov.

  221. that ‘camera blocking my view’ thing is bullshit, look at the mirrors!! if that’s “eye line view” he wouldn’t be able to see a fucking thing behind him

  226. probably the camera lens was positioned slightly above the ideal point. look the mirrors of the car!! they should get at eye level of the driver!!! if you still in doubt watch on youtube Robert Kubica’s helmet cam lap video with BMW team!!

  227. They never used the 2010 Toyota – it was the 2009 one they used. One of the big reasons they changed was because the 2009 car didn’t have a big enough fuel tank to simulate the no-refuelling rules brought in for 2010. The current car is actually a 2010 Renault.

  228. man is easy to see, look at the mirrors of the car!! they should get at eye level of the driver!!! if you still in doubt watch on youtube Robert Kubica’s helmet cam lap video with BMW team!!

  230. Hadn’t noticed. Still, it’s only a badge. Doesn’t matter – due to F1 rules, it’s not a current “Lotus” by any means, as the car must be at least two seasons out of date.Interesting if they have found a replacement for the Toyota after all.

  238. That was as amazing and that was on inters… W.T.F. would it be like on softs on a nice warm day??? :)I felt sick watching that (In a good way.) Esp the acceleration at the top of Eau Rouge.

  243. To all the people complaining about mirrors and not being eye level – I play the f1 games in cockpit view and have never used the mirrors because they’re no good. This is excellent, thanks for the footage.

  244. Jesus Christ, get a life. You get some great footage like this and all you can do is bang on about it not being eye level. This is the best in-car footage, perspective wise, I’ve ever seen. Just enjoy it. Alternatively, leave your PC, loose some weight, get some talent and drive one.

  245. Or…because this is an installation lap – a lap to make sure the car works – maybe the car wasn’t set up to that specific driver, he may be taller than the normal driver or they just didn’t care. I am going to take the drivers word on this one…

  246. All you can see on the side mirrors are asphalt, grass and curbs. It’s either A) di Grassi loves how asphalt looks at 300 kph and he finds the curbs trippy to look at orB) the camera is higher than eye levelNow shut up

  248. Also, I don’t give a crap what you saw in a video game, because it is a VIDEO GAME!!!!!! That means it is not real, sorry to burst your bubble….

  249. For those saying that it isn’t eye level: My question is this: have you ever driven an F1 car in real life? no? …A) Why on earth would a professional racing driver quoted as saying ” I had to drive with only one eye open as the camera was blocking my other eye, quite tricky” lie about this being eye level. Y’all need to shut up and just admire the driving and the epicness that is F1. B) Prove to me, with logical and complete physical evidence that this isn’t eye level.

  251. judging from pictures of F1 drivers in 2012 holding their hands this doesn’t look too eye level, but maybe it’s just the seat height of the Toyota TF110 car from 2010 that they never raced or maybe Lucas’ eye level is really just that high up for whatever reason, either way, it’s nice to have some more footage of what a F1 driver sees than an onboard camera

  256. WTF?? ya that smart you can cypher an inch on a Video but NOT read the Description? Your A DILDO copper. quote Lucas “Quote:” I had to drive with only one eye open as the camera was blocking my other eye, quite tricky”

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