Lewis Hamilton believes air conditioning in Formula 1 cars is unnecessary – Formula 1 athletes have to cope with tough conditions
On hot days, it can quickly get very hot in a racing car. This also applies to the Formula 1 cars in the premier class, which are actually open-top cars, which is why there is always talk of some kind of air conditioning. However, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton considers this discussion to be superfluous, as the drivers should be able to cope with the conditions at this level
When asked whether there needs to be an innovative cooling system for the cockpit, the Briton replies: “No, it doesn’t need that. We are highly paid athletes. We have to work our butts off to train to deal with this heat. It’s tough. It’s not easy either, especially in places like Qatar or Singapore. But we don’t need air conditioning in the car.”
Hamilton is thus opposing the plans of the FIA, which wants to test air conditioning systems in Formula 1 to make drivers more comfortable in the heat. Instead, he is relying on the physical fitness that is required to drive a Formula 1 car at the limit anyway.
The test unit will be installed in a car during free practice in the Netherlands. This will be followed by further tests on other race weekends. If the system proves successful, the FIA wants to allow companies to develop their own solutions and sell them to the Formula 1 teams. The teams should then be allowed to use these if the conditions require it.
In Imola and Austria, the drivers had to cope with air temperatures of up to 33 degrees Celsius. In Qatar, temperatures of over 31 degrees Celsius were measured even during the night sessions. The FIA therefore came up with the idea of improving cooling for the drivers.
Some drivers had physical problems coping with the heat during the 57-lap race in the desert. Williams driver Logan Sargeant had to end the race prematurely due to heatstroke. Alpine driver Esteban Ocon threw up in his helmet and Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll briefly lost consciousness. For this reason, the FIA will test a new system
