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Formula One Drivers Divided Over Cooling Vests Ahead Of Singapore GP Heat
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CNBC TV18•08-10-2026, 21:05
Formula One Drivers Divided Over Cooling Vests Ahead Of Singapore GP Heat
- •Formula One drivers are split on using cooling vests as temperatures are forecast to exceed 31 degrees Celsius at the Marina Bay Street Circuit for the Singapore Grand Prix.
- •Four-time champion Max Verstappen leads the skeptics, arguing that the vest limits movement with cables and does not stay cool for the full race duration.
- •Ferrari's Charles Leclerc noted that the vests only work well for the first 15 to 20 laps before losing their effectiveness.
- •Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli shared negative past experiences, including a pump failure in Austin that pumped 50-degree water and caused heat stroke.
- •Mercedes teammate George Russell strongly advocates for the vests, citing extreme overheating hazards like hallucinations experienced by drivers in previous hot races such as Qatar 2023.
Key Questions Answered
Drivers are split due to concerns over cable limitations, system reliability, and limited duration, with Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli expressing skepticism. Conversely, George Russell strongly advocates for their use to prevent severe overheating and performance loss during extreme heat.
While teams are required to fit driver cooling systems such as liquid-cooled vests, drivers can choose to opt out of wearing them and take a ballast penalty instead.
Kimi Antonelli suffered a heat stroke in Austin after the pump system failed and pumped water at 50 degrees Celsius for the entire session.
