Ferrari sporting director Diego Ioverno breaks down cooling vest use in Singapore’s extreme heat. Diego Ioverno explains how cooling vests work and their impact on driver performance in Singapore.

Ferrari sporting director Diego Ioverno has provided an in-depth explanation of how cooling vests will be used at the Singapore Grand Prix due to extreme temperatures. For the Marina Bay weekend, the FIA has activated its protocol for extreme weather conditions. With forecasts predicting intense heat for the Singapore race, teams will need to implement cooling vests, as Ioverno clearly explained.

Ioverno details the new cooling vests

In an interview with Sky Sport just before FP1, Ioverno outlined the advantages and drawbacks of these systems, which are still being refined. He said, “For the first time this season, we have an official ‘Heat Hazard.’ For Sunday, temperatures could exceed 31 degrees Celsius, posing potential risks, which has led to new mandatory rules. Cars must be equipped with a driver cooling system, but the decision to use it is left to individual drivers. At this stage, the cooling vest may still feel more cumbersome than truly effective for certain drivers.”

Weight impact of the cooling system

Regarding the added weight of these devices, Diego Ioverno clarified their impact. “Up to qualifying, cars will be roughly two kilograms heavier, while for the full race, the extra weight could reach five kilograms.”

“Before qualifying, the entire system must be installed except for the dry ice and the cooling vest itself. Drivers who choose to use it will accept additional weight during the race, while those who don’t will need to compensate with half a kilogram of ballast inside the cockpit to maintain balance. The ice containers will be positioned behind the seat, ensuring everything stays within the cockpit and does not affect weight distribution.”

Maintaining car performance with proper weight distribution

It will not be possible to place ballast anywhere in the car, as this could negatively impact performance. In Formula 1, weight distribution can make a significant difference, and the FIA aims to prevent situations that could compromise performance due to improper placement of added weight.