Author: Carolina Quintero Rodriguez, Senior Lecturer and Program Manager, Bachelor of Fashion (Enterprise) program, RMIT University

Motorsport fans are getting their first taste of racing this year, with the opening grand prix of the 2025 Formula One (F1) season starting in Melbourne today. But it’s not just the cars people should be watching. In a sport where milliseconds determine champions and conditions push the human body to its limits, drivers’ racing suits have evolved from a simple fire protection tool to a sophisticated performance tool. In fact, today’s F1 suits represent something of a technological revolution that could determine who stands on the podium. Driving at 300km/h in 50°C for two hours F1 drivers compete at…

When a tennis player serves at 200km/h in 30°C heat, their clothing isn’t just fabric. It becomes a key part of their performance. Modern tennis wear functions as a mini climate-control system that responds to the athlete’s physiological changes in real time. The 2025 Australian Open has showcased several groundbreaking technologies in action. Here are a few of the best examples. Thousands of microscopic vents Developed by sportswear company Asics, the outfit worn by Australia’s Alex de Minaur demonstrates an example of thermal regulation technology. The science behind this innovation involves thousands of microscopic vents that automatically adjust position based…