"It ought to be prohibited" - F1 competitors remain split on cooling vests

Mercedes driver George Russell sparked discussion in an interview with The Times, urging the governing body to take further action to refine the regulatory framework. Mercedes is among the teams that opted against pursuing a custom system, believing the cost cap allowance was inadequate and preferring to allocate engineering resources towards enhancing the speed of their car rather than addressing comfort concerns.

As Russell pointed out, any additional human resources dedicated to infrequently used vests would detract from efforts to boost the performance of his W17 car.

As Mercedes strives to maintain its lead against advancements from McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari, and given that the current debate centers on comfort rather than immediate safety issues, it is apparent where the focus lies.

Few drivers seem to align with Russell's viewpoint, as some believe the existing systems adequately handle extreme cases, while others, like Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, outright argue that the system should not exist at all.

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

"I believe it should be prohibited, as it’s meant to be a tough sport," Hadjar stated in Singapore, the fourth heat hazard event of 2026.

Verstappen added: "I don’t find it necessary. Sure, it’s hot, but it’s not like a sauna, and with this cooling vest you have these annoying cables in your car, which restrict your movement. Even if it worked for one and a half hours, which it doesn't, I wouldn't need it."

Alpine driver Franco Colapinto was similarly dismissive. "Yes, it’s hot, but it has always been hot in this sport. It’s nice to have it as an option. Personally, I’m not fond of it. I don’t find it comfortable."

Russell's teammate Kimi Antonelli shared that he avoided the standard system due to "two very unpleasant experiences" during his rookie campaign last year. While he would welcome an improved solution, he prefers to concentrate on training to help his heat acclimatization.

"When I used it last year, I had two very negative experiences," Antonelli explained. "The first time it didn’t function as long as we anticipated. The second time, the pump malfunctioned and I spent the whole session with the system pumping water at 50 degrees. I ended up suffering a heat stroke, so it was quite unpleasant.

"Since then, I thought: 'You know what, I’ll train hard so I won’t have to rely on it during race weekends. If we reach a point where it’s developed and we have confidence that it will work consistently for the duration we need, then I think it’s a great asset because it certainly keeps you cool. But currently, there’s too much uncertainty."

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc mentioned he would prefer an imperfect system over none at all, even if it only functions for half an hour. "Ideally, if I could have a better cooling vest, I would always opt for it," he stated. "Let’s say it performs well for the first 15 to 20 laps. After that, you’ll feel warm, similar to other cooling vests. At least I’m getting those initial laps, and I’m thankful for that."

"Some drivers don’t even want to discuss the cooling vest, but that’s each driver’s individual preference."

There are also staunch supporters of the system, like Williams driver Carlos Sainz. "If there’s one area where we’ve excelled in development this year, it’s the cooling vest, which has definitely provided Alex and me with a better experience inside the car. We’re very pleased to have it. I understand Mercedes’ perspective, but at the same time, we’ve prioritized it more than they have, which is why ours is functioning better."

Haas driver Esteban Ocon even felt the system benefitted his personal performance, albeit for a limited time. "I believe it’s been a significant gain for the physical aspect of racing," the Frenchman remarked.

"Of course, it hasn’t worked for the entire race since we introduced the system. It lasts about 40 minutes, after which it’s just hot fluid circulating due to the extreme heat in the car. But it’s already a positive that we have something, as I raced my entire career before this without it."

"I don’t think everyone appreciates how much better it is for an athlete to maintain the right temperature for optimal performance."