F1 Drivers Reject New Cooling Vest Amid Extreme Saudi Temperatures
Formula 1 drivers are facing a scorching challenge in Saudi Arabia as the F1 cooling vest, designed to combat the blistering heat, is being rejected by the drivers. With the air temperature peaking at 34’C and the track even hotter, concerns are rising about the readiness of the new cooling technology.
After a grueling Qatar Grand Prix in 2023 where drivers suffered from intense dehydration and heat-related issues, the FIA introduced a new cooling vest for drivers to wear during races. However, despite the extreme heat warning for the F1 2025 Saudi Grand Prix, drivers like Logan Sargeant, Alex Albon, Lance Stroll, and Esteban Ocon faced challenges during the race, leading to doubts about the effectiveness of the cooling vest.
The cooling vest, backed by the FIA, utilizes advanced wearable-tech shirts with tubes to circulate cooled fluid around the upper body of the drivers. While the intention was to provide relief from the scorching conditions, drivers like Oscar Piastri expressed their reservations about the current state of the technology. Piastri stated, “I think it’s been a good process with the FIA and the manufacturers with the cooling system, and I think it will be a big positive for us. But for me personally, it’s not quite ready to be used.”
Even drivers like Esteban Ocon, who faced challenges in the past due to extreme heat, have concerns about the practicality of the cooling vest in its current form. Ocon mentioned, “It’s much more bulky and a lot bigger. We would need to basically redo a complete seat, and I’m not even sure that doing that would still be suitable in corners.”
The rejection of the cooling vest by F1 drivers raises questions about the preparedness for the upcoming races, especially with the track temperature expected to soar around the 50’C mark in Saudi Arabia. As the drivers gear up to tackle the scorching conditions, the effectiveness of the cooling vest remains a hot topic of debate within the F1 community.