Summary
Formula One plans to mandate a cooling vest for drivers during hot race weekends starting in 2026. Drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen disagree with making the vest mandatory, saying it should be up to each driver to decide if they want to use it. The United States Grand Prix in Austin is facing high temperatures, and the cooling vest is being recommended due to heat warnings.
Key Facts
- Formula One plans to make a cooling vest mandatory for drivers during hot races starting in 2026.
- The vest is meant to help drivers handle high heat and humidity.
- This weekend's United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, is expected to have very high temperatures.
- Temperatures in Austin are forecast to reach up to 33°C (about 91°F) during the race weekend.
- The FIA may declare the Austin race a heat hazard, similar to a previous race in Singapore.
- F1 cars have a cooling system, and the car's weight limit has increased to accommodate the vest's weight.
- Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have criticized making the vest mandatory, saying it should be a personal choice.
