Formula 1 drivers can opt not to use driver cooling suits in 2025

Williams' Logan Sargeant did not finish the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix while Esteban Ocon vomited in his helmet. Lance Stroll passed out briefly.

As a result, in the latest World Motor Sport Council in Rwanda, the FIA introduced a driver cooling system which would be mandatory should the temperatures on an F1 race weekend exceed 31 degrees Celsius or when the race director deems their use necessary. The weight of the cars would be increased by 5 Kg to allow for the extra equipment.

According to a report in Motorsport.com, the use of the driver cooling system will be optional in 2025 but will become mandatory after that.

The report added that many options have been considered, but the final decision was to use special T-shirts that are fireproof and have ducts integrated into them where cooling fluid circulates.

The system developed by a company called Chillout Motorsports is called Cypher Pro Micro Cooler and employs a cooling unit that would be added to the F1 car on the required weekend that will pump the cooling fluid into the T-shirt.

The report revealed that the systems will be permanently fitted in the 2026 new F1 cars and powered by those cars' electrical systems.

As for 2025, the system will be retro-fitted and thus drivers can opt not to use it but will then have to carry an extra 500g ballast to avoid gaining advantage over other drivers using the system.