Formula 1 titans Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have criticised plans by the FIA to enforce mandatory use of the cooling vest from 2026, arguing for driver’s freedom to choose.
The cooling vest made its debut in 2024, as an experiment to counter the extreme temperatures seen in Qatar in 2023, where drivers came close to fainting.
Not yet in widespread use amongst the drivers, the cooling vest continues to divide opinion as either an innovative safety measure, or an overbearing idea with little merit.
A consultation is underway for mandatory use in 2026, topic the talk of the paddock in Singapore after the FIA issued its first heat alert for the race after a temperature of 31C was recorded.
Teams are now forced to fit enhanced cooling methods to the cars, but drivers can opt to not wear the cooling vest, a dynamic that looks set to change next season.
However two of F1’s biggest names have slammed the cooling vest proposals, with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton calling the FIA to think again.
Verstappen stated to ViaPlay it should continue to be an option for a driver rather than a requirement.
“I just think it should be an option – that you can choose for yourself whether you want to wear it or not,” he said.
Acknowledging it remains voluntary for now, he explained the reasons behind his vehement disagreement over its proposed mandatory introduction.
“This season it is, yes, but at the moment it won’t be for next season. And I completely disagree with that. It’s a bit ridiculous to be honest.
“In the end it’s about your own safety and how you feel about it. I don’t think they should make that mandatory at all.”
Hamilton labels proposals as “silly”
Speaking after qualifying for the F1 Singapore GP, seven-time World Champion Hamilton was equally scathing as Verstappen of the plans for mandatory use of the cooling vest, using the factoid of no heat-related deaths in F1.
“I don’t think it should ever be forced on drivers. They keep saying it’s a safety issue, but there’s no driver that’s ever died from overheating in the race, apart from moxie and flames back in the day. It’s just getting silly.
“That should be our choice to have it. I appreciate they’ve made it available to us and we’ll continue to work and improve on the system.
“I think it can be potentially beneficial in crazy hot places, but if you want to use it because it’s comfortable or not, it should never be like you have to wear this.
“I might use it tomorrow night, depending how hot it is.”
READ MORE – Lando Norris takes aim at Red Bull after F1 Singapore GP qualifying drama
Discussion about this post