THE CHALLENGE
In the high-pressure world of Formula 1 racing, having a quiet space where drivers and staff can relax and recharge is vital for team performance.
This is where motorhomes come in. Typically located in the “paddock”, these multi-storey temporary buildings are made up of modular units which are transported from race to race and assembled on-site.
The motorhomes are also used for corporate hospitality and include stylish restaurants and terrace bars from where guests can watch the race. And for the race team, there are kitchens, private rooms, showers and office spaces.
Over a race weekend, the motorhome can host close to 300 people before being disassembled and moved on to the next location. The individual units that make up the motorhomes are filled with furniture, car parts and other race equipment, and shipped to the next destination by road or ferry.
So it’s crucial that the interiors selected for motorhomes are durable enough to withstand this demanding and constantly changing schedule.
Â
Â
Over the course of the year, the motorhome can travel to
at least 11 European destinations for racing.
Plus 16 more locations for testing.
Clocking up around 40,000km.
THE SOLUTION
A leading Formula 1 team was looking for a flooring solution for their motor home that was quick to install with superior durability. They also needed design and repair flexibility.
Flooring contractor, MDA Contracts, recommended installing Luxury Vinyl Tile from Forbo.
Knowing that ease of uplift for cleaning and replacement would be imperative for the customer, they also recommended adhesive-free installation. IOBAC Quick Cure Resin was applied to the sub-floor, and IOBAC MagTabs were used to fit the standard backed LVT tiles.
MDA Contracts completed the installation in early 2018 just prior to the unit leaving for testing in Spain, and the flooring is still performing well in 2022, despite extremely heavy usage.
The motorhome is due a new look for the 2022/23 season and the F1 team is very happy to use the same solution again, as it has proved itself to be more than up to the job.
The original resin base can be reused with new flooring on top, saving material and labour costs during the refit.
Still looking good in 2022 before redesign
2022 Redesign
The photos below show the new install in late 2022 by MDA Contracts Ltd using Luxury Vinyl Tile from Forbo Flooring Systems and woven vinyl tile from Bolon fixed using IOBAC MagTabs.
As the resin forms a permanent, reusable base, the original sub-floor from 2018 was reused, saving labour and material costs.
THE BENEFITS
DURABILITY
IOBAC High Grab resin protects the sub-floor and all the metal parts that form the units by creating a water-resistant barrier.
The MagTabs use unique 2-dimensional grip to hold the LVT tiles securely in place, even under extremely high footfall.
FLEXIBILITY
Individual tiles can be uplifted quickly, cleanly and easily enabling the F1 staff to carry out cleaning, repairs and replacement without fuss.
This helps them to protect their brand image, and would have been impossible had the LVT been installed using adhesive-based methods.
REUSE
As the resin forms a permanent, reusable base, it can be reused time and time again.
When the motorhome was refitted in late 2022, the original base that was installed in 2018 was reused, saving labour and material costs.