The 2025 Singapore Grand Prix has witnessed a new Formula 1 regulation aimed at combating extreme cockpit temperatures, with the FIA mandating the installation of cooling devices in cars while leaving the choice to wear cooling vests to the drivers themselves. Among the front runners, Mercedes’ George Russell supports wearing the FIA cooling vest, whereas Red Bull’s Max Verstappen refuses to use it, sparking a sharp divide over comfort, safety, and driver autonomy amid soaring heat concerns.
George Russell Embraces FIA’s Cooling Vest Despite Flaws
George Russell, starting from pole position, has experimented with the FIA-approved cooling vest in previous races, revealing cautious optimism despite the vest not delivering a perfect solution yet. He admitted to using it in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia with satisfactory results. Due to cockpit temperatures frequently surpassing 60°C, Mercedes engineers have focused on improving airflow inside the car. Russell noted significant progress by relocating heat-generating components.
“I’ve run it in a couple of races in this year,”
Russell said.
“It isn’t the perfect solution yet, but I was happy with it in Bahrain and Saudi.”
He further explained the technical adjustments behind the scenes, emphasizing the impact of reducing hot air infiltration near the driver’s feet.
“Just moving electrical boxes and hydraulic lines running at 120 degrees around your feet has made a huge difference.”
Although challenges like rapid dry ice melting in humid conditions remain, Russell views the cooling vest as an important advancement for driver health and endurance throughout intense racing conditions.
Max Verstappen Voices Opposition to Mandatory Cooling Vests
By contrast, reigning world champion Max Verstappen has taken a firm stance against wearing the cooling vest. He questioned the vest’s comfort and feasibility inside the extremely compact F1 cockpit, arguing that the decision to wear it should belong solely to the drivers rather than being pressured by regulatory bodies.
“I feel like this needs to be a driver choice,”
Verstappen stated.
“The FIA always throws it on safety, but there are far more pressing issues they could address, like dangerous pit entries at certain tracks.”
Verstappen elaborated on the spatial constraints unique to Formula 1 cars, comparing them unfavorably with GT vehicles which can accommodate cooling systems more easily. He remarked on the short-lived effectiveness of the dry ice technology during races.
“In GT cars, you can fit cables and dry ice systems. In F1 cars, there’s barely room. After 15 or 20 laps, the ice melts, and you’re left with hot water.”
The multiple laps of diminishing cooling effect contribute to Verstappen’s concern over a potential future mandate for all drivers to wear the vests.
“It should be a personal preference. Some like it, some don’t and that’s fine.”
Perspectives from Other Drivers on Cooling Vest Usage
Oscar Piastri of McLaren, positioned third on the grid, remains uncertain about adopting the cooling vest. He highlighted the risk-reward balance, noting that the vest’s failure during a race could cause greater issues than skipping it altogether.
“It’s great when it works, but if it fails, it’s worse than not having it,”
Piastri remarked.
“There’s no real way to test it properly except in a race, and everything feels fine when it’s 10 degrees during winter testing.”
His ambivalence echoes broader hesitations across the driver lineup about prioritizing comfort and ensuring that safety innovations are practical and reliable under real-race conditions.
FIA’s Heat Regulation Sparks Wider Debate Over Safety and Choice
The introduction of the FIA’s heat hazard regulation has triggered debate that extends beyond the Singapore event. For George Russell, the new measures represent necessary progress in adapting Formula 1 to increasingly extreme track environments requiring improved driver safety protocols. Conversely, Max Verstappen perceives the initiative as a regulatory overreach detracting from driver discretion in areas best managed personally.
As race day unfolds, the discussion reflects the ongoing tension in F1 between safeguarding competitors’ wellbeing and preserving the essential element of human endurance in an intricate technological sport. The varying responses from drivers like Russell, Verstappen, and Piastri demonstrate that while heat safety interventions are welcomed, their application must respect individual preferences and practical limitations within Formula 1’s unique design challenges.
