Isack Hadjar Advocates for Ban on F1 Cooling Vests

Isack Hadjar, a driver for Red Bull in Formula 1, has expressed his belief that cooling vests should be banned from the sport. He argues that the physical challenges faced by drivers are a crucial aspect of racing.

The discussion around cooling vests gained attention during the recent Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, where extreme heat and humidity were present. While some drivers support the use of these vests for artificial cooling, others have raised concerns about their fit and effectiveness. The vests circulate cool liquid through tubes in a fireproof top worn under the race suit, but their cooling effect diminishes as cockpit temperatures rise.

Hadjar's teammate, Max Verstappen, also criticized the vests, stating that he finds them unnecessary and that they restrict movement due to the cables involved. He noted that even if the vests could maintain a cool temperature for the duration of a race, he would not use one. In cases of declared heat hazards, teams can choose to use their own cooling systems or opt for ballast to avoid weight penalties.