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New Wearable Technology to Keep F1 Drivers Cool in 2025
As Formula 1 prepares for the 2025 season, a groundbreaking development in driver safety has emerged: wearable tech shirts designed to alleviate heat stress. According to Autosport, these cooling shirts will be optional for competitors during the upcoming season.
The initiative responds directly to troubling incidents that occurred at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where extreme heat conditions led to serious health issues among drivers. Logan Sargeant, racing for Williams, withdrew from the race due to heatstroke, while Esteban Ocon from Alpine and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin suffered significant discomfort, with reports of Ocon vomiting in his helmet and Stroll briefly fainting.
Initially, the idea was to create an artificial air-conditioning system to regulate temperatures within car cockpits. However, this concept was discarded due to the complexities and practical challenges of implementing such a system. Instead, the FIA decided to adopt existing wearable cooling technology, notably the Cypher Pro Micro Cooler developed by Chillout Motorsports.
A significant challenge in this transition has been ensuring that the cooling devices meet the FIA’s strict fire resistance criteria for all equipment worn by drivers in the event of an accident. The cooling shirt incorporates nearly 50 meters of tubing that circulates chilled fluid from a compact box housing a microprocessor and the necessary temperature regulation technologies.
In a recent statement, the FIA confirmed that the final design of the driver cooling system has been approved following collaborative work with Formula 1 teams. This approval was granted by the F1 Commission earlier this week, indicating the teams will be required to integrate this technology into their vehicles under specific guidelines concerning its use.
Importantly, the FIA has determined that the system’s mandate will only activate when temperatures reach an ambient threshold of 31°C, as monitored by sensors strategically positioned at race venues. This approach is distinct from measuring cockpit temperatures, which can rise dramatically, often between 50°C and 60°C.
By the 2026 season, the cooling systems will be integrated into the new electrical configurations of the cars, meaning they will be a standard component of all vehicles. For the 2025 season, however, teams will install the retrofitted cooling systems only when the ambient temperature reaches the determined threshold. This additional time allows for further testing and optimization of the technology.
If a driver opts not to use the cooling vest during the 2025 season, they will still be required to carry an additional weight of 500g as ballast to maintain competitive fairness. This move is intended to prevent any performance advantages that could arise from choosing to forgo the cooling system.
The discussion around these adaptations has garnered mixed reactions within the driver community. Lewis Hamilton voiced skepticism at the Hungarian Grand Prix last year, stating that such cooling measures were unnecessary. “This is Formula 1,” he argued. “It’s always been like this. We’re highly-paid athletes, and you’ve got to train to withstand the heat. It’s tough, but I don’t think we need an AC unit in the car.”
As F1 continues to adapt and evolve in response to both technological advancements and the physical demands placed on drivers, this new development highlights a significant shift towards prioritizing health and safety in the sport.
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Photo by: Williams F1
Source
www.autosport.com