The FIA now requires all World Endurance Championship cars to have climate control because drivers passing out at triple digits speeds: not good. But that A/C system comes at the expense of engine power, particularly when it's hot. So Aston is harnessing the heat of the sun to keep its drivers cool.
Aston is teaming up with Hanergy Global Solar to test out a new thin, lightweight film of flexible photovoltaic solar panels that can mount on the roof or rear windshield. Those cells will power the air conditioning and other ancillary systems on Aston's brace of V8 Vantage GTE cars.
It's a win-win for both companies. Aston keeps its drivers comfortable and Hanergy gets to see how its new panels work in the heat of battle. And we'll probably see them in use at the next race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.