FIA vs drivers: the fight over cooling vests in Formula 1

For the first time at the Singapore Grand Prix, the FIA issued a heat alert, encouraging drivers to use cooling vests. For now, the system is optional, but starting in 2026 it could become mandatory, even for drivers who oppose it, creating potential conflict. Could this be a battle whose outcome is already decided?Singapore marked an unprecedented chapter in Formula 1: the FIA issued an alert for extreme temperatures, requiring drivers to wear a cooling vest during the race based on Thursday’s weather forecasts. This unprecedented measure divided the paddock, generating differing opinions among drivers.Being the first year for this technology in F1, the FIA chose not to make its use mandatory, even during alerts, provided additional ballast is installed to offset the extra weight. However, the plan anticipates mandatory adoption from 2026 onward, aiming to prevent extreme scenarios similar to the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix.

Not all drivers agree with the Federation’s approach. Some are enthusiastic about the system and have used it for some time, while others resist making it compulsory. Max Verstappen commented in Singapore that he believes it should remain optional, stating that making it mandatory is ridiculous since it concerns driver safety.

Differences between teams in duration and effectiveness

Why do some drivers still distrust the system while others see great potential? The reasons are multiple, as is often the case with the introduction of a new technology that carries both advantages and challenges. Understanding the issues requires examining what currently doesn’t work. Although similar solutions exist in other racing categories, the F1 version is far more complex and ambitious.

The extremely limited space in an F1 car forced teams to redesign components to integrate the system, resulting in different solutions from team to team. Each car has unique characteristics that were largely defined when the vest became mandatory for 2025. These variations inevitably affect the system’s duration and cooling efficiency across teams.

Some teams collaborated early with the company that developed the system, creating tailored solutions, while others treated it as a secondary concern, causing delays. Carlos Sainz noted that from the first prototypes to the current versions, there has been clear progress, demonstrating significant development potential.

By next season, the system will undergo substantial changes: it will be integrated differently into the chassis, eliminating the external battery and connecting directly to the car’s electrical system. This aims to reduce malfunctions and improve reliability, addressing one of the drivers’ key concerns.

Comfort issues and possible solutions

When the liquid circulating in the vest stops being cooled, the internal temperature rises, and what should provide cold water becomes lukewarm or even warm, having the opposite effect of what is intended. Naturally, in early development stages, some drivers expressed negative opinions about a system that can become a nuisance if not functioning properly.

Comfort is another concern. The system consists of approximately 50 meters of thin tubing that carries cooled liquid from a dedicated box to a custom vest around the torso, creating inevitable bulk. This can be uncomfortable, especially in high-speed corners when the driver’s body presses against the seat and sides.

Based on driver feedback, the connector linking the tubes to the cooling box was repositioned to reduce bulk. To further improve comfort, the FIA and teams are working with partners to develop alternative solutions. For example, as reported in May, the company developing the system is considering extending the cooling undergarment to the driver’s legs while reducing tubing in sensitive areas to minimize discomfort. The goal is a more personalized solution tailored to each driver and team.

Is this a battle already lost?

Beyond technical aspects, some drivers, including Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who expressed concerns last year, have reiterated the desire to keep the system optional. The issue was also discussed during the driver briefing in Singapore, with opinions clearly divided.

The FIA has clarified that it has not yet taken a final position and is keeping dialogue open with the drivers while still considering mandatory implementation from 2026. It remains to be seen whether the battle is already decided: following criticism after the 2023 Qatar GP, the Federation urgently sought concrete solutions, investing resources and exploring options.

The certainty for the FIA is that development work will continue in the coming months. Teams and the supplying company will keep refining the system, aiming to improve comfort and durability. As an open-source project, teams can share ideas and draw from rivals’ solutions. Here, the benefit concerns driver safety rather than pure performance.

It is understandable that the FIA wants to ensure driver safety while protecting itself from further criticism, avoiding a repeat of situations like the extreme heat at the 2023 Qatar GP. In the past, when safety was at stake, the governing body has not hesitated to override driver resistance, imposing solutions that have improved and made the sport safer. Similarly, this system still requires progress in terms of comfort and efficiency, but the direction set by the FIA appears clear for the future.