FIA Plans Further Review of Cooling Vest Rules

The FIA has responded to recent criticism from drivers regarding the use of cooling vests, a topic that drew significant attention during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend. Nicholas Tombazis, FIA’s Director of Single-Seater Racing, emphasized that the organization has no plans to abandon the technology despite complaints about discomfort and design shortcomings.

According to Tombazis, such systems play a crucial role in ensuring driver safety amid rising temperatures and changing climate conditions. “We must be prepared for increasingly extreme heat. After what happened at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, it’s clear that we cannot ignore thermal protection. Abandoning these systems could lead to far more serious consequences even race cancellations,” he noted.

At the same time, the FIA remains open to dialogue with the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) and is considering the possibility of making the use of cooling vests optional, but only after additional medical studies are completed. “We want our decisions to be based on scientific evidence and verified data, not on emotion. These matters are too important to be decided through a simple vote during a drivers’ briefing,” Tombazis added.