Guys, I’m working on a 1977 era F-1 model, and noticed the drivers had a white cable attached to the left side of their helmets, leading back to the rear of the car. Can anyone tell me what it is and what/where does it connect to? Is it a comm line? Oxygen? Drinkie?
I’m not an expert by any means but my guess would be that it is a comm line. I don’t think that they had Oxygen or drinks aboard F-1s. I’m sure someone with more knowledge than me will pipe in on this.
Jim [cptn]
I believe there is an electrical cable from the radio to the headset in the helmet.
It’s most likely a Water drinking tube, as radio wire are normally run inside the drivers fire suit,
looks like a thin tube with some thick insulation to try keeping it somewhat cool lol
DRIIIINKS!
Do you seriously think they had comms worth sheet in the 70’s?! It’s not nowadays where drivers got coached! Even in the 80’s I saw sticky notes on steering wheels… (on pictures)
PS. I will confirm this from a knowledgeable source…
Real G, I’ve been aided by a VERY knowledgeable source. I was (ever so slightly) wrong… it was (and I quote!) “For fresh air in case of fire”!
So there you have it - oxygen!
Drinks? Who needs it - other than James 
?! (Tongue firmly inserted into cheek for the latter comment!)
Hey all, thanks for the input! Yeah back in the 70s it was all analog, not this Mission Control stuff today, where it seems like the committee and computers are driving the car, not the guy sitting in the cockpit. I think for me that is why I like the earlier racing eras versus today’s.
This shows the tube connected to the air bottle on the 1980 Williams FW07B at Watkins Glen, NY
Thanks Big Jim! Now I know where to make the hose connection. And knowing is half the battle.