How new FIA-homologated undersuit fights heat stress in F1 cockpit. Sparco has introduced the FIA-approved Cooling Top R586 Underwear.

It was tested in Miami by five F1 teams during a hot World Championship race: Sparco brought to the first of the three US races an innovative new product in technical clothing. The Turin-based company introduced the Cooling Top R586 Underwear.

What is it? It’s an undersuit equipped with an integrated cooling system and is currently the first and only FIA 8856-2018 patented and homologated underwear that can be configured according to the drivers’ needs using a system of cooling tubes.

The FIA wants to safeguard the physical integrity of drivers taking part in GPs, and Sparco has developed clothing that ensures body temperature control at the highest levels of safety and performance. In F1 cockpits, temperatures can exceed 50 degrees Celsius, which has created the need to reduce the discomfort of drivers subjected to heavy sweating and rising skin temperature.

The negative effects during a 90-minute GP can include a loss of concentration in the decisive phase of the race, dehydration, and muscle cramps — all conditions that can affect performance.

Sparco has designed something that allows heat to be dissipated from the driver’s body, aiming for thermal comfort: the Cooling Top R586 Underwear is a special undersuit equipped with a cooling system that is worn by the drivers and becomes active once connected to the cooling system installed in the car.

The Cooling Top R586 Underwear is a shirt with an integrated cooling system via a modular grid, through which water or a water-glycol mixture flows. Both the routing system and the shirt are made with materials that meet FIA safety requirements: in addition to being flame-resistant, it easily passes heat stress conformity tests.

Another distinctive feature is that the Cooling Top R586 Underwear is the only one homologated with the possibility of displaying the team and sponsor logos. The initial feedback after testing has been positive. The solution will obviously be extended to all categories where drivers may be subjected to “sauna-like” conditions due to excessive heat in the cockpit.