Mercedes F1 driver George Russell has called for the FIA to step in and ensure cooling vests are widely adopted during hot races, arguing teams need protection from themselves when it comes to investing in driver safety equipment.
Driver comfort in extreme heat has been a focus since the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where several drivers suffered heat exhaustion. The FIA responded by developing a cooling vest that circulates water through tubes, declaring a "heat hazard" when temperatures exceed 31C.
This weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia marks the third heat hazard of the 2026 season. Russell revealed Mercedes opted against developing a bespoke cooling solution, citing performance trade-offs. "We haven't put the resource into making it robust enough," he told The Times.
Despite initial plans to mandate cooling vests during heat hazards, the FIA made them optional due to driver feedback that standard vests become burdensome after several laps. Teams can add 0.5kg ballast if they choose not to use them.
Contrary to Russell's comments, the FIA actually implemented a cost cap exemption from 2026, offering teams up to $125,000 for cooling vest development. Several teams have taken advantage, but Mercedes reportedly deemed the investment unworthy given the rarity of extreme heat conditions.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing