Full Breakdown
Drivers Split Over Cooling Vest Use Ahead of Singapore Grand Prix
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Heat Hazard and Driver Choice
The FIA has declared a heat-hazard weekend for the Singapore Grand Prix, forecasting temperatures above 31 °C (88 °F) at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Drivers can lose up to three kilograms of body weight through dehydration. Regulations require teams to install a driver-cooling system—typically a liquid-cooled vest—but any driver who opts out must carry an additional five-kilogram ballast.
Background & Context
Singapore is the longest race on the calendar, intensifying the physical strain on drivers. The heat-hazard designation follows similar warnings at the Malaysian, Austrian and Italian Grands Prix earlier in the season.
Drivers’ Positions
Opposition to the Vest
Four-time champion Max Verstappen argues the system is unnecessary and hampers movement. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) recalls a pump failure in Austin that led to heat-stroke, leaving him reluctant to use the vest again. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) questions its effectiveness over a full race distance, noting it may only provide relief for 15–20 laps.
Advocacy for the Vest
George Russell (Mercedes) stresses the performance loss caused by overheating, citing a teammate’s hallucination in Qatar 2023 and describing the vest as a useful tool except on cold tracks. Esteban Ocon (Haas) acknowledges a “massive performance gain,” estimating it works for roughly 40 minutes before the fluid heats up.
Official Statements & Responses
The FIA’s heat-hazard declaration triggers the optional cooling-vest requirement and the ballast penalty for non-use. Under cost-cap rules, teams may receive a $50,000 allowance for developing a system that keeps the coolant cold for an entire Grand Prix, and an additional $75,000 if the vest can be made comfortable.
Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord described the allowance as “small,” saying the team did not believe it was sufficient to develop a robust, race-lasting solution and therefore focused resources on overall car performance.
Data & Statistics
- Forecast temperature: > 31 °C (88 °F)
- Expected driver weight loss: up to 3 kg via dehydration
- Ballast penalty for opting out: 5 kg
- Cost-cap allowances: $50,000 for durability, $75,000 for comfort
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Drivers differ on how long the vest remains effective. Leclerc suggests reliable cooling for only 15–20 laps, while Ocon reports functional performance for about 40 minutes before the fluid reaches cockpit temperature. No definitive technical data has been published to confirm either claim, leaving the system’s race-long reliability uncertain.
What’s Next
The Singapore Grand Prix weekend proceeds with drivers free to choose the vest or carry ballast. Teams must decide whether to invest further in the technology before the race, as no additional FIA mandates are scheduled.
Verbatim Quotes
- “For me, it's not needed. Yes, it's hot, but it's not a sauna,” — Max Verstappen
- “You can never quantify how much lap time you're losing because your body is well and truly overheating, but I know," Russell said.” — George Russell
- “But then after, for the rest of the race, you are quite warm, just like you are without the cooling vest.” — Charles Leclerc