Two of F1’s biggest stars share the same viewpoint.

F1 Grand Prix Of Singapore - Qualifying

Lewis Hamilton has sent a message to the FIA (Image: Getty)

Lewis Hamilton has joined Max Verstappen in urging the FIA not to make cooling vests mandatory for drivers in the future. Many drivers are trying the new devices at the Singapore Grand Prix as F1’s governing body takes steps to ensure greater safety in hot conditions.

The FIA issued a heat hazard on Thursday ahead of the on-track action at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. As is often the case in Singapore, temperatures were forecast to reach over 31 degrees, meeting the organisation’s threshold for using cooling vests.

Ever since Logan Sargeant, Lance Stroll, Esteban Ocon and other drivers experienced extreme heat exhaustion symptoms at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, there has been a push for greater safety measures in hotter climates.

Singapore is typically the most physically demanding event on the calendar for F1 drivers. However, many weren’t keen on the extra help in the form of the cooling vests, which have been criticised as bulky and uncomfortable by some.

“I don’t think it should ever be forced on drivers,” said Ferrari star Hamilton. “They keep saying it’s a safety issue, but there’s no driver that’s ever died from overheating in the race, apart from obviously in flames back in the day. It’s like, it’s just getting silly. That should be our choice to have it.

“I appreciate they’ve made it available to us, and we’ll continue to work and improve on the system, and I think it can be potentially beneficial in crazy hot places, but if you want to use it because it’s comfortable, it should never be like you have to wear this.”

F1 Grand Prix Of Singapore - Qualifying
Max Verstappen is in agreement with Hamilton (Image: Getty)

Hamilton’s viewpoint was shared by reigning world champion Verstappen, who has been persistent in his insistence against the mandating of cooling devices. “I haven’t used the vest,” he declared after qualifying second for the Singapore GP.

“I’m also not intending to use it because I feel like this needs to be a driver choice. Of course, from the FIA side, they will always throw it on safety, but then we can talk about a lot of stuff that can be improved on safety, including pit entries in certain places.

“I think that has a bit more priority than a vest in the car because I don’t like it. I don’t like the tubes that are on you, on your body, with the belts that go next to you. Then they can say it’s [just] a bad design.

“I disagree. It just needs to be an option for the drivers to choose. Some like it, some don’t, and that’s fine. It should be a personal preference. And I know this year we can, but probably next year they don’t want to do that, and I feel that is not the right thing.”