Heat stress in F1: smart measure or introduced too early?

The FIA has declared 'heat danger' for the second Formula 1 weekend in a row. This is new. And it puts the spotlight on a much bigger debate: safety versus practicability. The regulations state clearly: if the official weather forecast for the race is above 31°C, teams must fit cooling systems. In theory, a logical step. In practice this year, the technology still appears to be fragile and unevenly distributed.

The heart of the problem

The intention is clear. Heat can physically break drivers. Cooling systems and cooling vests are designed to reduce that risk. But the system is new. Not all teams have the same experience with the technology. Some constructions don't work as intended. Or they don't last for a full race distance. As a result, the cooling vest is not yet mandatory. Those not wearing the vest must carry a small amount of extra ballast in the cockpit area. A pragmatic interim solution. But also one with hooks.

Unfair effects and practical concerns

The ballast option sounds simple. In reality, it can lead to lopsided situations. Teams work with millimetres and grams. Extra ballast in the cockpit changes the weight point and can affect the balance of the car. This is not just a cosmetic adjustment. It affects drivers and engineers. Moreover, it is not a real solution to heat. Ballast does not combat physical stress. It only shifts the regulation problem.

The drivers' reaction: drivers are not happy

At the recent Singapore Grand Prix, where the first 'heat hazard' in F1 history was declared, several leading drivers showed their dissatisfaction. They do not want the cooling vest to become mandatory before 2026. That opposition is important. Drivers are the end-users of the technology. If they are not convinced, a measure risks remaining merely symbolic or even counterproductive.

What the FIA now wants to do

The FIA will not be taken back. The organisation plans talks with drivers later this year. It wants to present documents highlighting the benefits of the cooling vest. This is a sensible step. Transparency and data can dispel doubts. But documentation alone is not enough. There must also be independent testing and uniform criteria. Without a level playing field and measurable performance standards, adoption will remain uneven and controversial.

My view: safety yes, but with realism

The FIA's intention deserves support. Protection of drivers is priority number one. But introduction of new technology should not be at odds with fair competition and technical feasibility. My proposal is simple: delay mandatory introduction until the technology is widely tested and reliable. Combine that with clear, publicly disclosed testing, and with a transition period in which teams get equal access to solutions.

The ballast regulation is a rescue measure, not a final solution. The FIA should keep talking to drivers and teams. Don't let the talks get bogged down in PR documents. Demand hard data, field-testing and uniform standards. Only then can the cooling strategy not only promise safety, but also deliver on that promise.