[RahulNagaraj]

According to reports, F1 drivers could soon get a cooling system installed in their cars in case of extreme heat. The F1 Commission has reportedly declared that a provision for the inclusion of a cooling system will be made to the rules from 2025.

F1 drivers wear fire-proof long inners and a triple-layer racing suit before sitting in the cockpit of their F1 cars. During hot races, temperatures in the cockpit can get up to 60 degrees, physically draining the drivers' bodies, and potentially affecting their cognitive functions. This poses a real danger, especially considering the speeds at which the cars are driven.



Hence, the F1 Commission has ruled that each car will need to have the ability to fit a driver cooling system in case of extreme heat - likely to be set at 30 degrees and above. F1 is said to be looking at cooling systems currently used in other racing disciplines. The cooling system will involve cooled water (or safe liquid) pumped around the driver's body to help remove heat.

The cooling system which could be implemented from the 2025 season is part of the call for change after the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where many drivers experienced extreme exhaustion due to the hot temperatures.

Source: Motorsport.com

Link to Team-BHP news

[dsr001]

Interesting article. I got to know just a few months back that the epitome of racing cars doesn't have any cooling for the driver. Not sure why they let it be this way, they should have had some provision by now

[CrusingSoul]

Considering F1 driving suits are fire resistant and most likely heat insulated, not sure how the new cooling system is going to work.

Future driving suits might resemble SpaceX Space suits, which has battery powered temperature control.


Image courtesy - SpaceX

[PRATAYA]

Sounds like a good move. With the intense heat inside the car, it’s amazing they manage to perform at all sometimes. A cooling system could definitely help with driver safety and performance, especially during those brutal races in extreme conditions. It's about time they considered adding something to combat that level of heat.

[kaps454]

Originally Posted by dsr001

Interesting article. I got to know just a few months back that the epitome of racing cars doesn't have any cooling for the driver. Not sure why they let it be this way, they should have had some provision by now

Anything counted as extra weight is frowned upon in F1 cars. All parts (engine, suspension, transmission) are designed just to barely survive race rules (and they have changed a lot).

Nigel Mansel was considered too heavy by F1 for some, even though he had a brilliant race career later.

regards kaps454

[pranavt]

Originally Posted by CrusingSoul

Considering F1 driving suits are fire resistant and most likely heat insulated, not sure how the new cooling system is going to work.

Cool suits already exist. The issue is keeping the water cool during the race. Requiring an onboard system to cool the liquid will add weight to the cars. Since this will be mandatory (and probably a spec part), no team will be at a disadvantage.