UK Government cancel order for 'BlueSky' ventilators from Red Bull and Renault

Project Pitlane

UK Government cancel order for 'BlueSky' ventilators from Red Bull and Renault

Sam Hall

Wednesday 15 April 2020 10:02 Updated: 10:28

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The UK government have cancelled an order of ventilators from Red Bull and Renault who were spearheading the 'BlueSky' effort - the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency [MHRA] electing not to sign off on the device after finding it unsuitable for treating coronavirus patients.

In an action that is unprecedented in Formula 1, all the UK based teams banded together to create Project Pitlane, answering the threat of Covid-19.

"Over the past four weeks all seven UK-based F1 teams have come together as a united group [ forming Project Pitlane] in response to the UK Government’s call to support the national effort in producing more ventilators and breathing devices to treat Covid-19 patients," a Formula 1 spokesperson told the Independent.

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“Project Pitlane consists of three main workstreams including a CPAP [Continuous Positive Airway Pressure] device in conjunction with University College London, the Ventilator Challenge UK [VCUK] consortium upscaling Penlon and Smiths ventilators, and an R&D project, BlueSky in conjunction with the NHS Young Entrepreneur Programme."

The 'BlueSky' device produced by Red Bull and Renault was yet to be signed off for use by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency [MHRA], due to the amount of changes required during use - changes that specifically needed to be made when removing fluid from the lungs of patients.

“As of this weekend the BlueSky workstream was stood down by government due to changes in requirements, while the CPAP and VCUK continue apace," continued the spokesperson.

“The F1 team project leads for BlueSky – Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and Renault DP World F1 Team – have shown brilliant dedication and skill throughout the project and should feel proud of the work they have undertaken to develop a new device with an NHS entrepreneur and will continue to provide vital contributions to Project Pitlane.

"The seven teams continue to focus their collective efforts on the two remaining workstreams, while standing ready to respond to any further calls for help.”