The FIA released a new wearable-tech shirt that will act as a cooling vest for the drivers that will be implemented from the 2025 season onwards. While it may be optional for drivers to use it this season, it will be mandatory from 2026 onwards as part of the new race regulations. However, Haas driver Esteban Ocon claims that “no one can use” the device in its current form, pointing out its multiple flaws.
No repeats
This device was the FIA’s solution to help drivers race under extreme heat conditions and prevent any detrimental health related incidents.
It is to prevent the repeat of events of the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix where many drivers found themself victims of heat exhaustion after racing under the intense heat. Their cockpit heated up to a maximum of 50°C (122°F).
Then Williams driver Logan Sargeant had to retire while suffering from dehydration having been ill with a flu the same weekend. His teammate Alex Albon had to be assisted to the medical centre due to heat exhaustion, the same for Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll. Ocon himself also reported vomiting in his helmet during the race.
It is safe to say something needed to be done, and the cooling vest was the FIA’s answer. In theory, it is ready for use however there are reports that state the current device is causing the drivers discomfort, making it unusable.
Here’s how the system works: The suit worn by the driver has multiple cooling tubes integrated into it. While in theory sounds helpful, in actuality it is causing the drivers discomfort due to the pressure caused by the connection points of the tubes.
The design flaws for the cooling system
Ocon states that the suit not only causes discomfort but is simply “ unusable”. It seems that his fellow drivers share the same sentiment.
“At the moment, we can’t use the cooling vest.
“You have the tubes all around, that’s fine. You have the tubes in the back, that’s also fine. But there is a massive tennis ball on the side, on your hip.
“If you put it here [on the chest], it’s hurting with the belts. If you put it in the back, you can’t fit in the seat. If you put it on the side, you can’t fit in the seat. So yeah, at the moment, it doesn’t work for us, or at least what I’ve tried. And from what I heard from other drivers, it’s very similar.
“It’s good that the FIA have been able to provide us a solution and come up with something. But at the moment, I can’t use it, at least. I’m not talking for the others, but myself and Ollie , we can’t use it.
“The product itself, which is standard, is not usable. It’s too big. You know how tight the seat is in Formula 1 everywhere. Where all the tubes linked up, it’s like a knot of tubes. And that’s why it’s too big.”
Modifying the cockpit
When asked if modifications to the cockpit seat to accommodate the new cooling system device would help, the Haas driver seemed skeptical. Stating how any modification to the seat will affect its functionality, he even gave a few suggestions himself.
“Well, if you want a seat with a massive hole in it, no. A seat is very difficult to get right. If you do a cut-out like that, you will lose flexibility massively.
“So the only way I see it improving is if we manage to have less of that knot, or if we come up with a solution where in some road cars, for example, there is air conditioning through the seat, which we do not have to have on the way.”
Is this really necessary?
Many might be wondering why the device is even needed since drivers have specially crafted physical training to race in countries such as Singapore and Qatar where the challenge is the high temperatures, and humidity is high. With many drivers sharing their preparations for the Singapore Grand Prix by working out in saunas every year before the event.
The frenchman himself share the same sentiment, stating that such devices are “not very needed yet”.
“For extreme conditions, I agree, like Qatar, for instance, or sometimes Singapore. But in Qatar last year, I spent a week cycling in the sauna before getting to the race weekend – and when I arrived, I was in a jacket. It was so cold, so I was a bit pissed off to prepare so hard for nothing!
“I don’t know if there’s going to be more discussion. I reckon nobody’s in a position at the moment to use it. That’s what I believe. I could be wrong, but I think everybody’s struggling to fit in the car with these tubes.
“I think, [we are] happy to have the system on board and add the weight, and if we don’t want to use it, we don’t use it. But at the moment we can’t use it, so… It’s not like I’m just being a diva and I don’t want to use it! It would be the opposite, actually. I would want to use it, if that was the case. No, it’s just that it’s not fitting.”
The device will only be mandatory to use in 2026. This gives the FIA time to work closely with the drivers and teams to improve this new cooling system. Whether it be improvement to the device itself or to the cockpit’s design, we will have to wait and see.
