The primary purpose of a racing suit is to protect the driver from fire. The SFI and FIA subject suits to rigorous testing before they are approved and can display labels that meet the requirements. A racing suit is designed to cover the entire body of a driver, crew member, or sheriff, including the long sleeves and leg straps of long pants. Typical driver's suits are one-piece jumpsuits, similar in appearance to a boilermaker suit.
Other firefighter suits are two-piece, consisting of a jacket and pants. Suits consist of one or several layers of fireproof material. The suits also have special epaulettes or yokes in the shoulder area that act as handles to lift the driver tied to a racing seat from the vehicle. This is mandatory according to the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) safety regulations.
In addition to fire protection, racing suits provide insulation and comfort for drivers in the cockpit of a racing car. Compared to low-flame retardant fabric, a racing suit provides much more protection for your skin. As you move on from basic suits, they tend to be lighter and thinner, making them feel cooler and more comfortable to wear overall. Since the 1980s, racing suits have been customized to highlight the sponsors of drivers and teams, resulting in designs similar to those of racing cars. In conclusion, the main purpose of a racing suit is fire protection.
It also provides insulation and comfort for drivers in the cockpit of a racing car. Almost every racing facility requires drivers to wear it, so it is important to have one that is lightweight and breathable for maximum comfort during a race.
