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Max Verstappen Refuses FIA Cooling Vest as George Russell Supports It

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Samriddhi Jaiswal | Last updated Oct 5, 2025 8:20 AM ET

Highlights:

Verstappen and Russell take opposite stances on FIA’s new heat rule.
FIA introduces cooling vest regulation for the first time at Singapore GP.
Drivers debate over comfort, safety, and personal choice amid extreme heat.

The 2025 Singapore GP has introduced one of F1’s most unique regulatory challenges yet, the FIA’s “heat hazard” rule. For the first time, teams are required to install cooling devices in their cars to counteract soaring cockpit temperatures, though the drivers themselves retain the choice of whether to wear the accompanying cooling vests.

On the front row of the grid, George Russell and Max Verstappen representing Mercedes and Red Bull, have chosen completely opposite approaches to handling the heat. Russell has opted to wear the cooling vest, while Verstappen insists he will go without.

Russell Trusts FIA Innovation, Despite Imperfect Results

Pole-sitter Russell revealed that he has experimented with the FIA-approved cooling vest in earlier races. “I’ve run it in a couple of races in this year,” he said. “It isn’t the perfect solution yet, but I was happy with it in Bahrain and Saudi.”

With cockpit temperatures exceeding 60°C at some events, Russell acknowledged that Mercedes has made strides in improving internal airflow.”We recognized some major issues of hot air seeping into the cockpit,” he explained. “Just moving electrical boxes and hydraulic lines running at 120 degrees around your feet has made a huge difference.”

Despite the limitations of the cooling system, such as dry ice melting faster under Singapore’s humidity, Russell sees the initiative as a step in the right direction for driver safety and endurance.

Verstappen Pushes Back on FIA Mandate

Verstappen, however, isn’t convinced. The reigning world champion expressed strong resistance to using the vest, citing both comfort and practicality issues.

“I feel like this needs to be a driver choice,” Verstappen asserted. “The FIA always throws it on safety, but there are far more pressing issues they could address, like dangerous pit entries at certain tracks.”

He went on to explain that Formula 1 cockpits simply lack the space to incorporate such devices efficiently. “In GT cars, you can fit cables and dry ice systems. In F1 cars, there’s barely room. After 15 or 20 laps, the ice melts, and you’re left with hot water.”

Verstappen’s biggest concern is the possibility that the FIA might make cooling vests mandatory in the future. “That’s not the right thing,” he emphasized. “It should be a personal preference. Some like it, some don’t and that’s fine.”

Other Drivers Weigh In

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who starts third, admitted he remains undecided about whether to use the vest. “It’s great when it works, but if it fails, it’s worse than not having it,” he said. “There’s no real way to test it properly except in a race, and everything feels fine when it’s 10 degrees during winter testing.”

His comments highlight a broader sentiment across the grid: while innovation in driver safety is welcome, execution and comfort remain crucial.

A Debate That Goes Beyond Singapore

The FIA’s ‘heat hazard’ rule may have been born out of safety concerns, but in true F1 fashion, it’s already become a philosophical battleground.

For Russell, it represents progress the sport adapting to increasingly extreme racing environments. For Verstappen, it’s an overreach, a sign of regulation creeping into areas best left to driver discretion.

As the lights go out in Singapore, the question isn’t just who handles the heat better but whether F1 can balance safety with freedom in a sport built on human endurance and machine precision.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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