Cooling vests are slowly making their way into Formula 1, but not all drivers are convinced by the high-tech aid against the heat in the cockpit
Temperatures in Formula 1 are rising – and not just on the track. Especially during races in the Middle East, such as Bahrain or Qatar, the cockpits of the cars become veritable heat chambers.
To counteract the enormous strain, teams are increasingly turning to technical aids such as cooling jackets and vests. But while some drivers welcome the innovation, others are more skeptical. One driver who is already actively cooling himself down is Mercedes driver George Russell.
The silver jacket that the Brit has been seen wearing repeatedly on the track recently is not a fashion statement. “They’re not space suits,” Russell explains with a laugh. “They’re more for cooling us down. Especially when we’re waiting on the grid, standing in the blazing sun in fireproof overalls that are anything but breathable.”
Russell describes how the cooling jacket is an important addition to the conventional ice vest: “Normally you wear an ice vest, but at 30 degrees in the sun, the ice doesn’t last long. The jacket helps to prolong the cooling effect.”
Noticeable relief – but not entirely comfortable
In Bahrain, Russell also used an active cooling system during the race for the first time and drove with a driver cooling vest. “It’s good – or great – to see that we as a team are trying to push the boundaries and stay one step ahead of the competition.”
“The water was around 16 degrees at the start,” he reports, ”and you notice that immediately when it starts to circulate. The cockpit is over 50 degrees, so it feels pretty good.”
Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement. “The comfort wasn’t ideal,” Russell admits. “This cooling vest is currently still a standard off-the-shelf model, but we’re already working on our own version.” However, this won’t be ready for use for a few weeks.
Game faces on
Not long to wait now…. pic.twitter.com/dKHcRiKugt
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 13, 2025
This weekend, the Mercedes driver will therefore revert to the familiar model. “The lack of comfort in Bahrain didn’t bother me much because it’s a rather slow track.
But here in Jeddah, with the fast corners and all the tubes around my ribs, it could be problematic. “But the system itself is absolutely race-ready,” he says.
Hamilton: Don’t want that in my car
Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, takes a different approach to the issue. “Actually, I’ve only had two races in my career that were that extreme,” he recalls. “For example, Malaysia in my first year. My drinking system didn’t work and I was totally dehydrated at the end. And Singapore last year was pretty brutal.”
“But I love it,” adds the Ferrari driver. ”That’s exactly what makes the sport what it is. We are top athletes – it’s supposed to be tough. Besides, the cars are easier to drive today than they were earlier in my career – even though they’ve become heavier.”
That’s why he doesn’t want to use the cooling system if he can avoid it. “It’s an ongoing development process. There are people still working on it. But at the moment, it’s not mandatory.”
Hamilton himself believes that the key to coping with extreme conditions lies not in technical aids, but in personal preparation: “I’d rather see how I can cool my body down beforehand, how I can stay better hydrated. For me, that’s part of the challenge.”
The seven-time world champion also criticizes the additional weight of the system: “That thing adds five kilos to the car, and no one else would do that voluntarily.”
Despite the need for improvement, Hamilton also says: “I understand that it’s tough and you don’t want drivers to pass out. It was extremely hot during one race in Qatar – but I crashed, so I didn’t experience it. I think it’s good that the technology is there, but for me personally, it doesn’t belong in the car. That’s just my opinion.”
