F1 drivers are split over the use and importance of cooling vests as the series is set for its fourth "heat hazard" race of 2026.
Driver comfort in hot climates has been a point of conversation since the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, when several drivers experienced heat exhaustion symptoms. In response, the FIA and all F1 teams commissioned extensive research, ending up with a standard cooling vest that circulates water through a tube system. When temperatures are expected to exceed 31C, the FIA declared a "heat hazard" forcing drivers to either use the vest or add 0.5kg of corresponding ballast to the car.
