Formula 1 has declared its first ever heat hazard for the Singapore Grand Prix, meaning drivers now face a critical call on whether they want to wear cooling vests in the race or carry extra ballast.
As a response to the problems that drivers faced at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, when extreme temperatures and humidity left some needing medical attention, the FIA implemented a cooling vest system.
The idea was for the vests, which feature a cooled liquid that is pumped around a series of tubes, to be made mandatory for this season if conditions are predicted to exceed 31°C at some point during the race.
However, following complaints from some drivers about complications fitting the tube elements within the tight confines of the cockpit, a change of plan was made.
Instead of making the cooling vests mandatory, the FIA agreed for 2025 only that if a heat hazard is declared then the use of the cooling vests will be voluntary.
However, concessions were added to the regulations that meant those drivers that elect to use the vest for the race will not be penalised by carrying extra weight.
The rules require that, with a heat hazard in place, all the components that comprise the cooling system must be fitted to the cars – and be in working order.
However, drivers have the option of not wearing the actual vest system if they feel that the tubing elements are too uncomfortable.
The rules state: “In such circumstance, all other components, including any cooling medium, of the driver cooling system must be fitted.
“In addition, the difference in mass between the driver’s personal equipment normally used and any items of a driver’s personal equipment that form part of the system must be compensated by the fitting of 0.5kg of ballast in the cockpit.”
With the heat hazard having now been declared, it will remain in force for the remainder of the Singapore weekend – meaning drivers will have to make a call on Sunday about what to do.
While some drivers are not fans of the cooling system, others have got their devices to work and believe it has brought benefits in hot races.
Mercedes driver George Russell gave an F1 cooling vest an under-the-radar debut on his way to second place in this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix – and reckoned it had made a big difference to his comfort in the car.
“It was definitely very noticeable when I turned on the cool water,” he said. “I think at the start of the race, it was about 16°C pumping around my body, which feels quite nice when you’re in a cockpit that’s 50°C-plus.
“Of course there’s always room to improve. But for us as a team, they’ve been putting in so much hard work and had the confidence that the system would work that I wanted to give it a whirl. So far, so good.”