Lewis Hamilton isn’t exactly thrilled about Formula 1’s latest innovation aimed at helping drivers cope with extreme heat.
The seven-time World Champion has voiced concerns over a new cooling vest system, originally set to be mandatory this season for sweltering races. The tech is designed to regulate body temperature during physically grueling events, like last year’s brutal Qatar Grand Prix, where multiple drivers needed medical attention—and one even retired mid-race.
But Hamilton’s not convinced it’s the right way forward.
“I don’t want to use it if I can avoid it,” he told reporters. “That’s just my opinion.”
The Trade-Off: Comfort or Performance?
The cooling vest isn’t just a slip-on and go. There’s a catch: drivers who choose not to wear it must add 5kg of ballast to their cars to even out the playing field—basically, trading performance for comfort.
George Russell tested the vest during the Bahrain Grand Prix and gave it a cautious thumbs-up. He noted that while it worked well in Bahrain, he wasn’t so sure how it would hold up on faster circuits like Jeddah.
Hamilton, however, seemed surprised Russell used it at all:
“Oh really? I’d be surprised if he did, because it’s five kilos—you have to add five kilos to the car for it and no one else would.”
Hamilton: Keep F1 Physically Demanding
Hamilton’s main point? F1 should be physically exhausting.
“We’re supposed to be at the top, the highest of the highs in terms of athletes. It needs to be tough,” he said.
“I’ve only had two races in my career when conditions were extreme. My first year in Malaysia, my drink system failed. Then Singapore last year—that was brutal. But I love that.”
Instead of relying on new tech mid-race, Hamilton says he’d prefer pre-race strategies like pre-cooling his body and staying ultra-hydrated.
“That’s part of the process,” he explained. “I understand the concern, especially after Qatar, but for me, it’s not what I want to see in my car.”
The Bigger Picture
While Hamilton respects the intent behind the cooling vest, he makes it clear: the solution shouldn’t compromise the physical challenge that makes F1 so elite.
The technology might be a lifeline in the most intense heatwaves, but for now, Hamilton would rather sweat it out the old-school way.
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