Formula 1 drivers are properly divided on cooling vests and whether they're redundant in 2026, ahead of the fourth 'heat hazard' weekend of the year in Singapore, as The Race reports. The FIA has declared Singapore a 'heat hazard' - triggered by estimated temperatures exceeding 31°C - meaning teams can fit cooling devices to their car that will pump liquid through a vest to help cool the driver in the cockpit. But the vast majority of F1 drivers won't actually use them.
For some, like vocal cooling vest proponent George Russell, that's simply because his Mercedes team hasn't been able to commit the resources to develop an efficient version for its 2026 car. Russell says he'd use it "every weekend", bar really cold weekends like Las Vegas, if he could. Team-mate Kimi Antonelli was put off by negative experiences using it last year, but is open to using a refined version after suffering heat stroke in Austin when the pump system failed and water was pumped at 50 degrees.
I think it should be banned because it's supposed to be tough
Of all the teams, Williams appears to be the cooling vest development leader right now. Carlos Sainz noted that the development has given Alex Albon and him a good time inside the car. Albon said the system in his Williams meant driving was actually "quite comfortable" until his car expired after 41 laps in Malaysia, adding that packaging and airflow differences between teams mean it is not fair to say some drivers can just deal with the heat better.
Some drivers believe cool vests can help performance in the most extreme heat-affected races, with the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix still being the standout example. Russell recalled that Albon felt like he was hallucinating during the race in Qatar, while Albon noted it was the only time he could truly say he was definitely not driving as quickly as he could have, with then team-mate Logan Sargeant having to withdraw due to heat exhaustion. Esteban Ocon also thinks the potential performance gains are underappreciated, noting it has been a massive performance gain for the physical aspect of things.
Even if the technology improves, there are some drivers who believe cooling vests are unnecessary. Isack Hadjar went as far as saying, "I think it should be banned because it's supposed to be tough". Team-mate Max Verstappen added that it is not needed, pointing out that it limits movement with stupid cables in the car. Franco Colapinto thinks it's "good to be able to choose [but] personally, I don't like it" and chooses not to wear it.
