Verstappen Skeptical of Cooling Vest as Russell Plans to Utilize system at Singapore Grand Prix
Singapore – Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen has indicated he will not employ the newly introduced cooling vest system during the Singapore Grand Prix, citing design concerns and limited space within the cockpit.Meanwhile, Mercedes driver George Russell intends to continue using the system, despite acknowledging its imperfections and the challenges of testing it solely in race conditions.
The cooling vest, designed to combat the extreme heat experienced by drivers during races, utilizes dry ice to circulate cooled water through a system of belts worn under the race suit.Verstappen expressed reservations about the design, stating, “Some like it, some don’t.And that’s fine. It should be a personal preference.” He further elaborated on the practical difficulties, noting the narrow cockpit space in Formula 1 cars and the limited capacity to store sufficient dry ice, which loses its cooling affect as it melts and absorbs ambient temperature. “Within 15,20 laps,it’s anyway gone. And you have hot water (running through the system),” he said. He highlighted that if the dry ice melts too quickly, the circulating fluid could actually increase the driver’s temperature, as cars can reach temperatures exceeding 40C during a race.
Russell, however, remains open to utilizing the technology. Having tested the vest in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, he acknowledged it “isn’t the perfect solution yet,” but emphasized the lack of dedicated testing opportunities. “You can only test it in a race surroundings,” he explained. he also pointed to improvements made by his team in addressing heat sources within the car itself, such as relocating electronic boxes and hydraulic lines that radiate significant heat.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri remains undecided, stating he used the system during testing but is wary of potential failure. “The problem with the suit is it’s great when it works. But if it fails, it’s even worse than not having it,” piastri said.He echoed Verstappen’s sentiment, stressing the importance of driver choice regarding the vest’s implementation.
The differing opinions among the top three drivers suggest a varied approach to the cooling system throughout the grid as teams and drivers grapple with the demanding conditions of the Singapore Grand Prix.
