Kimi Antonelli has brought attention to a significant issue with the safety cooling vests that have been introduced for Formula 1 drivers this season. During the first practice session of the weekend, Antonelli experienced a malfunction in his vest while driving for Mercedes, which resulted in the device heating him up instead of keeping him cool.
After finishing 11th in sprint qualifying, Antonelli discussed the incident with F1 TV, noting, “This morning I struggled a bit in the car because I had a few physical issues. But the car felt good… I was wearing the cooling vest and we had a failure in the cooling, so instead of cooling it was warming me up. So, I had a big struggle in the session.”
This incident occurs in a context where the temperatures have soared above the pivotal 87.8°F (31°C) threshold, prompting the FIA to declare a ‘heat hazard’ race. In such conditions, teams must equip their drivers with cooling devices or bear the added weight of an alternative if the drivers opt not to wear the cooling shirt. The Texas heat has been particularly intense this weekend.
However, it’s worth noting that not all drivers find the cooling vests comfortable. The design, which involves pipes that sit against the skin, can be bothersome, especially at high speeds within the cramped confines of an F1 cockpit. The complexity of integrating these cooling systems into the tight spaces of F1 cars adds another layer of challenge for teams.
The unexpected consequence of the cooling vest heating up when it malfunctions highlights the need for further research and development. With these cooling technologies set to be standard on every F1 car by 2026, addressing these issues is essential to ensure driver safety and comfort in extreme heat conditions.