Driver cooling kit “unusable” in curre...

Haas driver Esteban Ocon has solid doubt over the practicality of the FIA’s new cooling vests, designed to assist drivers deal with excessive circumstances in scorching races, claiming that “nobody can use” the system in its present kind.

The cooling gadget was launched following the bodily challenges drivers confronted throughout the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix. Whereas it’s theoretically prepared to be used this season, its design has reportedly led to discomfort, making it tough to implement.

The system consists of cooling tubes built-in into the drivers’ overalls, however the primary problem seems to be the connection level the place the tubes enter the swimsuit, creating an uncomfortable strain space.

In keeping with Ocon, the gadget is at present “unusable.”

“In the mean time, we will not use the cooling vest,” he instructed the media in Bahrain. “You’ve the tubes throughout, that is advantageous. You’ve the tubes within the again, that is additionally advantageous. However there’s a huge tennis ball on the aspect, in your hip.

“In case you put it right here [on the chest], it is hurting with the belts. In case you put it within the again, you’ll be able to’t match within the seat. In case you put it on the aspect, you’ll be able to’t match within the seat. So yeah, in the intervening time, it would not work for us, or a minimum of what I’ve tried. And from what I heard from different drivers, it is very related.

“It is good that the FIA have been in a position to present us an answer and give you one thing. However in the intervening time, I am unable to use it, a minimum of. I am not speaking for the others, however myself and Ollie [Bearman], we will not use it.

“The product itself, which is customary, is just not usable. It is too huge. You know the way tight the seat is in Formulation 1 all over the place. The place all of the tubes linked up, it is like a knot of tubes. And that is why it is too huge.”

For now, drivers have the selection of whether or not to make use of the system however from 2026 the FIA plans to make it obligatory. That provides the governing physique time to refine the gadget, although Ocon believes the choices for enchancment are restricted.

Requested if cockpit seats could possibly be modified to accommodate the system, he was uncertain: “Nicely, if you need a seat with a large gap in it, no. A seat may be very tough to get proper. In case you do a cut-out like that, you’ll lose in flexibility massively.

“So the one means I see it enhancing is that if we handle to have much less of that knot, or if we give you an answer the place in some highway vehicles, for instance, there’s air con by the seat, which we shouldn’t have to have on the best way.”

Ocon additionally questioned the need of constructing the gadget obligatory, suggesting that drivers have managed excessive circumstances effectively by health coaching.

“It is not very wanted but,” he stated. “For excessive circumstances, I agree, like Qatar, as an example, or generally Singapore. However Qatar final yr, I spent per week biking within the sauna earlier than attending to the race weekend – and once I arrived, I used to be in a jacket. It was so chilly, so I used to be a bit pissed off to organize so exhausting for nothing!

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Workforce

Photograph by: Haas F1 Workforce

“I do not know if there’s going to be extra dialogue. I reckon no person’s able in the intervening time to make use of it. That is what I imagine. I could possibly be incorrect, however I believe all people’s struggling to slot in the automotive with these tubes.

“I believe, you already know, [we are] pleased to have the system on board and add the load, and if we do not wish to use it, we do not use it. However in the intervening time we will not use it, so… It is not like if I am simply being a diva and I do not wish to use it! It might be the other, truly. I’d wish to use it, if that was the case. No, it is simply that it isn’t becoming.”

With a compulsory introduction set for 2026, the FIA might want to work intently with groups to refine the system and guarantee drivers can combine it into their cockpit designs.