Formula 1 drivers are divided over the FIA’s cooling vest regulations as extreme heat returns to the Singapore Grand Prix, with Isack Hadjar and Franco Colapinto criticising the equipment while Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc report benefits from using it.
“I think they should be banned, because it’s supposed to be tough,” said Racing Bulls driver Hadjar, joining Max Verstappen among those opposed to the cooling technology. Colapinto has also voiced his concerns, describing the vests as “uncomfortable” as drivers prepare for another demanding weekend in Singapore.
FIA heat warning brings cooling vests into focus
Under the FIA’s regulations, an official heat warning can be issued when temperatures are expected to exceed 31 degrees Celsius. When the warning is activated, drivers must either use a cooling vest in the cockpit or carry an additional 500 grams of ballast.
The requirement is designed to offset any potential weight advantage for drivers who choose not to wear the equipment. However, the technology has divided opinion in the paddock, with concerns over its effectiveness and the restrictions it can place on drivers inside the cockpit.
Some drivers argue that the cooling effect diminishes during a race, leaving them to endure the heat despite carrying the additional equipment. Others have complained that the vests restrict movement and make it harder to remain comfortable behind the wheel.
Max Verstappen had already announced that he would not use a cooling vest in Singapore. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, meanwhile, has questioned how effective the technology is in practice.
Russell challenges the FIA over responsibility
Mercedes driver George Russell has taken a different approach to the debate, calling on the FIA to take responsibility for addressing the challenges posed by extreme heat.
The governing body has adjusted the budget cap arrangements to give teams greater flexibility when developing cooling systems. However, Mercedes does not currently intend to take advantage of that additional allowance.
The disagreement highlights a wider challenge for Formula 1: finding a practical way to protect drivers in extreme conditions without introducing equipment that some competitors believe offers limited benefits.
With Singapore’s demanding conditions placing additional physical strain on the grid, the debate over how best to manage cockpit temperatures is unlikely to disappear.
Sainz and Leclerc defend the technology
Williams driver Carlos Sainz is among those who believe the cooling vest has made a meaningful difference.
“If there’s one thing we as a team have done a good job with in terms of development this year, it’s the cooling vest. It has definitely made Alex and me more comfortable in the car. We’re very happy to have it,” Sainz said.
His comments contrast with the criticism from Hadjar and Colapinto, suggesting that the effectiveness of the equipment may depend on its design and how well individual teams have developed their systems.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has also reported positive results, although he acknowledged that the benefits do not last throughout a full race.
“Let’s say it works pretty well for 15 or 20 laps. After that, you’re warm for the rest of the race, just like with the other cooling vests. But at least I get some benefit from it for 15 or 20 laps. I’m grateful for that,” Leclerc said.
Formula 1 faces a difficult balancing act
The contrasting views leave the FIA facing a difficult decision as it seeks to balance driver welfare, competitive fairness and the physical demands of the sport.
While some drivers believe cooling vests should be removed because they add discomfort without delivering sufficient benefits, others see them as a worthwhile development that makes racing in extreme temperatures more manageable.
The Singapore Grand Prix provides another test of the technology, but the disagreement within the paddock shows that Formula 1 has yet to find a solution that satisfies everyone.
For now, the cooling vest debate remains unresolved, with drivers split over whether the equipment is a necessary safety measure or an ineffective complication in an already physically demanding sport.
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