What is a race car driver outfit called?

It’s called a racing suit—also known as a fire suit or race overalls—designed to protect drivers from heat and flames while meeting strict motorsport safety standards. In everyday use, people may also refer to the full ensemble of gear as a driver’s kit, but the primary garment is the racing suit.

What people call it, and why the names vary

Motorsport uses a few interchangeable terms for the same protective garment. Understanding these helps when shopping, reading regulations, or following race coverage internationally.

• Racing suit or race suit: The most common terms in North America and globally.
• Fire suit or firesuit: Emphasizes the garment’s flame- and heat-resistant purpose.
• Overalls or race overalls: Widely used in FIA documents and British media.
• Driver’s suit: A general descriptor used by teams, series, and retailers.

Despite the different names, all refer to the same core piece of safety apparel worn over flame-resistant underwear and paired with matching gloves, shoes, and a balaclava.

What a racing suit actually does

A modern racing suit is more than a uniform—it’s a life-safety system. Multiple layers of flame-resistant fabric create insulating air gaps that slow heat transfer, giving drivers precious seconds to evacuate in a fire. The suit also resists abrasion, manages moisture to reduce heat stress, and provides a canvas for team branding and sponsor logos without compromising safety certifications.

Standards and certifications that matter

Legality and protection depend on homologation labels sewn into the garment. Sanctioning bodies specify which standard is required.

• FIA 8856-2018: The current top-level global standard for flame-resistant clothing in car racing (replacing 8856-2000 in most series). Required in Formula 1, WEC, WRC, Formula E, and many national championships.
• SFI 3.2A (various levels): Widely used in North America. Levels (e.g., 3.2A/5, /10) correspond to minimum Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) ratings; higher numbers mean more heat resistance.
• FIA 8877-2022 (Karting): Covers protective clothing for karting. Unlike car-racing suits, kart suits prioritize abrasion resistance and are not primarily fireproof unless dual-certified.

Before buying or suiting up, drivers should verify the exact standard required by their series; some allow SFI or FIA interchangeably, while others mandate a specific homologation and year.

Materials and construction

Racing suits use high-performance fibers and thoughtful layering to deliver protection and comfort under extreme conditions.

• Aramid fibers (e.g., Nomex, meta-aramid): The core flame-resistant fabric in most premium suits.
• Kevlar (para-aramid) blends: Added in wear areas for strength and abrasion resistance.
• Treated cottons (e.g., Proban): More budget-friendly, typically with lower or shorter-duration heat protection.
• Multi-layer builds: Two or three layers are common; air gaps between layers slow heat transfer.
• Stretch panels and breathable inserts: Improve mobility and reduce heat stress without undermining certification.

The balance between layers, fabric weights, and ventilation features determines how a suit feels in the car while preserving its certified fire protection.

What’s in the full driver’s kit beyond the suit

While the “outfit” often means the suit, drivers usually wear a complete set of coordinated safety gear that works as a system.

• Flame-resistant underwear: Long-sleeve top, long bottoms, and socks rated to the same standard as the suit (e.g., FIA 8856-2018).
• Balaclava: Protects the head and face; required in most series.
• Gloves: Flame-resistant with high-grip palms for wheel and switch control.
• Shoes: Thin, flame-resistant soles for pedal feel and heat protection.
• Helmet and FHR/HANS device: Not part of the suit, but essential safety equipment worn with it.

Using properly certified layers together maximizes survival time in a fire and is often mandatory under series regulations.

How karting suits differ from car-racing suits

Karting suits are typically abrasion-focused for sliding incidents on circuit surfaces and are governed by FIA 8877-2022 (previously CIK-FIA homologations). They are generally not fireproof to car-racing levels unless specifically dual-rated. Drivers moving from karts to cars should not assume their kart suit meets car-racing rules.

Fit, care, and compliance tips

Proper fit and maintenance preserve both protection and legality.

• Fit: A close but not tight fit maintains protective air layers; ensure comfortable reach and seated posture.
• Labels: Keep homologation labels intact and readable; scrutineers check them.
• Laundering: Follow manufacturer instructions; avoid bleach and fabric softeners, which can degrade flame resistance.
• Repairs: Use approved materials and methods; improper patches can void certification.
• Lifecycle: Retire suits that are contaminated by fuel, heavily worn, or past series-specific expiration dates.

Attention to upkeep helps the suit perform as designed and prevents issues at technical inspection.

Summary

The outfit a race car driver wears is a racing suit—also called a fire suit or race overalls—built from flame-resistant materials and certified under standards such as FIA 8856-2018 or SFI 3.2A. While the suit is the centerpiece, it’s part of a comprehensive driver kit that includes fire-resistant underwear, gloves, shoes, and a balaclava. Names vary by region, but the function is consistent: provide critical protection and compliance in the demanding environment of motorsport.

What are the different types of racewear?

Race suits come in single-layer, double-layer, and triple-layer designs, with more layers providing additional protection. Here’s what you need to know: Single-Layer Suits: Ideal for entry-level or lower-tier racing, single-layer suits provide basic fire resistance. They are lightweight and generally more affordable.

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 do you call a racing outfit?

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.