What a Racing Driver Wears: From Fireproof Suits to Head-and-Neck Restraints

A racing driver typically wears a fire-resistant suit, homologated helmet, flame-retardant gloves and shoes, fireproof underwear and balaclava, and a head-and-neck restraint (HANS/FHR), often with radio earpieces and cooling garments. These items are designed to protect against fire, impact, and heat while maintaining dexterity and communication, and they are mandated—often to FIA or SFI standards—across professional and most amateur motorsport.

The Core Safety Kit Every Circuit Driver Uses

At the heart of a driver’s attire is a set of safety-critical items that directly address the main risks in motorsport: fire, head/neck injury, abrasion, and cockpit heat. Below are the essentials most circuit and rally drivers are required to wear, with series-specific standards determining the exact homologations.

• Fire-resistant race suit: A multi-layer overall made from Nomex or similar aramid fibers, typically certified to FIA 8856-2018 (global) or SFI 3.2A (North America), protecting against heat and flame.
• Helmet: Full-face helmet meeting FIA 8860-2018 (top-tier “advanced” standard used in F1 and other top series) or FIA 8859-2015/Snell SA2020 in many other disciplines; open-cockpit series often mandate advanced ballistic and penetration protection.
• Head-and-neck restraint (HANS/FHR): A device that works with the helmet and harness to limit head movement in a crash; typically certified to FIA 8858-2010 or SFI 38.1.
• Flame-retardant gloves: Thin, high-grip gloves certified under FIA 8856-2018 or SFI 3.3, providing feel on the wheel while resisting heat.
• Racing shoes: Fire-resistant, thin-soled boots (FIA 8856-2018 or SFI 3.3) designed for pedal sensitivity and ankle mobility.
• Balaclava (hood): Flame-retardant head sock that protects skin and helps manage sweat; required in most series (FIA 8856-2018 or SFI 3.3).
• Fireproof underwear and socks: Long-sleeve top, long johns, and knee-high socks made of aramid fibers to add a thermal barrier beneath the suit (FIA 8856-2018 or SFI 3.3).
• Radio earpieces and microphone: Custom-molded earpieces integrated into the helmet for team comms; can also provide hearing protection.

Together, these components form a layered system: the helmet and FHR mitigate impact forces, the suit and underlayers delay burns, and gloves/shoes preserve control and mobility under extreme conditions.

Underlayers, Comfort, and Performance Add-ons

Beyond the mandated gear, many drivers use supplemental items to manage heat, vibration, and long stints. These enhance safety and consistency over a race distance, especially in endurance and rallying.

• Cooling shirts/vests: Liquid-cooled or phase-change garments worn under the suit to reduce core temperature in hot cockpits.
• Moisture-wicking aramid underwear: Fire-compliant base layers that also pull sweat away from the skin for comfort.
• Hydration systems: Camelbak-style bladders or drink tubes plumbed into the helmet for on-the-fly hydration.
• Tear-off visor strips: Stackable clear layers on the helmet visor that can be peeled during a race to restore visibility.
• Knee/elbow padding: Low-profile pads for drivers in cramped cockpits or off-road stages to reduce bruising.
• Medical and biometric sensors: Series-approved data patches or heart-rate monitors used by teams and medical staff, where permitted.

These additions don’t replace safety items; they complement them, helping drivers maintain focus, reduce fatigue, and sustain performance in harsh environments.

How It Differs by Discipline

While the safety principles are universal, what a driver wears can vary by category due to cockpit design, exposure, and specific regulations. Here’s how common disciplines diverge.

• Open-wheel (e.g., F1, IndyCar): Highest-spec helmets (often FIA 8860-2018 with advanced ballistic protection), stringent fireproofing, and tight integration with HANS and team comms.
• GT/Touring/Endurance: Similar fire gear; added emphasis on cooling and hydration for multi-hour stints and night racing; helmet radios tailored for driver changes.
• Rally: Full-face helmets with intercoms for driver/co-driver, robust fireproofing, and additional padding; gear must handle dust, mud, and stage-to-service transitions.
• Karting: Fire risk is lower, so suits are abrasion-focused rather than fireproof; CIK-FIA homologated kart suits, rib/chest protection (increasingly to FIA 8870-2018 in many series), kart gloves and boots, and helmets meeting karting-approved standards.
• Drag racing: Often higher fire-protection ratings (multi-layer SFI 3.2A suits and SFI 3.3 underlayers), plus arm restraints and specialized shoes/gloves depending on class.

Series rulebooks govern the exact homologation labels, replacement intervals, and any discipline-specific items such as rib protectors in karting or additional flame layers in drag racing.

Materials, Standards, and Why They Matter

Regulatory standards ensure gear performs in fire, heat, and impact tests. Knowing the label on each item helps drivers and teams match equipment to the event’s rulebook.

• Clothing (suits, underwear, socks, gloves, shoes): Typically certified to FIA 8856-2018 or SFI 3.2A/3.3; these specify heat transfer and flame-resistance performance.
• Helmets: FIA 8860-2018 (advanced performance, used at the top level) and FIA 8859-2015 are widely accepted; Snell SA2020 is common in North America. Always confirm helmet standard eligibility with the organizer.
• Head-and-neck restraint: FIA 8858-2010 or SFI 38.1 devices, used with compatible helmet posts and harnesses.
• Karting body protection: Many series now require chest/rib protectors compliant with FIA 8870-2018 for younger drivers and increasingly for adults.

These labels are not just bureaucracy; they reflect lab-tested performance thresholds that correlate with survivability and injury reduction in real crashes.

Fit, Care, and Replacement

Even the best gear underperforms if it fits poorly or is not maintained. Drivers and teams follow strict upkeep and inspection routines to ensure reliability.

• Fit: Suits should be snug but not restrictive; helmets must pass a proper fit test with the chosen balaclava and earpieces; gloves/shoes should allow fine control.
• Inspection: Look for fraying seams, worn grip patches, helmet shell or liner damage, and expired homologation labels; many series set service-life limits for helmets and harness interfaces.
• Cleaning: Follow manufacturer guidelines; use approved detergents for aramid fabrics and avoid high heat that degrades fire resistance.
• Replacement: After significant impacts or fire exposure, gear is typically retired; helmets also have time-based replacement schedules even without a crash.

Attention to fit and maintenance preserves the protective properties engineered into the equipment and keeps drivers compliant with scrutineering.

Important Notes and Good Practices

Finally, a few practical considerations often enforced by teams and stewards, especially at higher levels of the sport.

• Avoid synthetic street garments under the suit; they can melt. Use homologated fireproof layers only.
• Secure long hair under the balaclava, and use non-flammable hair ties or caps.
• Minimize jewelry or remove it entirely to avoid heat conduction and entanglement risks.
• Verify all homologation labels are visible and in-date before scrutineering.

These simple habits help ensure that the protective ensemble works as intended and passes pre-race checks without delays.

Summary

A racing driver’s wear is a coordinated safety system: a fire-resistant suit, homologated helmet, head-and-neck restraint, gloves, shoes, balaclava, and fireproof underlayers—often augmented by cooling, hydration, and communications. Exact requirements vary by series, but modern regulations (FIA and SFI) standardize performance so that, from karts to endurance cars, drivers have proven protection against fire, heat, and impact while retaining the dexterity and comfort needed to perform.

What do racing drivers wear under their suits?

Beneath the outer suit, every F1 driver wears a full complement of FIA-certified inner layers, including:

• • Fireproof undershirts and pants – For sweat management and flame protection.
• • Balaclava – To protect the head and neck.
• • FIA gloves – With grip-enhancing silicone zones and pre-curved fingers.

What is a race car driver’s outfit called?

A common term for a racing suit is a fire suit, due to its fire-retardant properties, but other names include racing overalls, driving suit, or the more general term race suit. Brands like Alpinestars, Sparco, and OMP produce and sell their own specific models, such as the Alpinestars Atom Suit or the Sparco Eagle 2.0, which are designed to meet various safety standards like SFI and FIA.
 
Here’s a breakdown of the different names and their contexts:

• Fire Suit/Fireproof Suit: Opens in new tabThis name emphasizes the suit’s primary safety feature – protection against fire and extreme heat, often made from materials like Nomex or treated Proban. 
• Racing Suit/Driving Suit: Opens in new tabThese are general, widely understood terms for the specialized clothing worn by racers. 
• Racing Overalls: Opens in new tabSimilar to “racing suit,” this term highlights the one-piece, full-body design of the garment. 

You might also hear more specific terms depending on the context:

• Model Names: Opens in new tabCompanies like Alpinestars and Sparco give their suits specific names, such as the Alpinestars TechVision and the Sparco Prime, to differentiate their product lines. 
• Homologation Standards: Opens in new tabThe suits are often described by their safety certifications, such as “SFI-5” or “FIA 8856-2018,” which indicate that they meet the required safety standards for different racing series. 

What are F1 drivers

A racing suit or racing overalls, often referred to as a fire suit due to its fire retardant properties, is clothing such as overalls worn in various forms of auto racing by racing drivers, crew members who work on the vehicles during races, track safety workers or marshals, and in some series commentators at the event …

What do racecar drivers wear?

Racecar drivers wear a comprehensive set of fire-resistant gear, including a multi-layered fire suit, Nomex underwear, balaclava, and gloves and boots made from fireproof materials like Nomex. They also wear a helmet and a head and neck restraint system (like a HANS device) to protect against impact and reduce head movement during a crash. This specialized equipment is designed to provide maximum protection against heat, fire, and the physical forces of a crash, with materials like Nomex used to withstand extreme temperatures and prevent burns.
 
Full racing gear includes:

• Helmet: Opens in new tabA fundamental piece of safety equipment to protect the head from impact. 
• Fireproof Balaclava: Opens in new tabA fabric covering worn under the helmet, protecting the head and face from heat. 
• Head and Neck Restraint (HANS Device): Opens in new tabA device that anchors the helmet to the driver’s body, limiting neck and head movement during sudden stops or crashes to prevent brain injuries. 
• Fire Suit: Opens in new tabA full-body suit made of layers of fire-retardant fabric, such as Nomex, designed to withstand extreme heat and offer fire protection. 
• Fireproof Underwear: Opens in new tabA set of long-sleeve shirts, pants, and socks made of Nomex, serving as a crucial base layer to protect the driver’s skin from burns. 
• Fireproof Gloves: Opens in new tabDesigned for grip and protection, these gloves are also made from fire-resistant materials and feature thin soles to allow drivers to feel the pedals. 
• Fireproof Boots: Opens in new tabLike the gloves, the boots are made of fire-resistant materials and have thin, rubber soles to ensure proper pedal feel and control.