Isack Hadjar calls for F1 cooling vests to be banned: "It's supposed to be tough"

Motorsport photo Red Bull Formula 1 driver Isack Hadjar has called for cooling vests to be banned from the championship, arguing that the extreme physical challenge remains an essential aspect of motor racing. The debate surrounding cooling vests intensified at the recent Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, where drivers faced extreme heat and humidity at the Sepang International Circuit.

Despite mixed feedback on the equipment, its implementation has raised concerns about fit and effectiveness. Isack Hadjar maintained that artificial cooling aids have no place in F1, stating, "Because it's supposed to be tough." His teammate, four-time champion Max Verstappen, also echoed the sentiment, asserting that the cooling vest is unnecessary, even if it remained cool for the entire race.

Hadjar's team-mate emphasized that while the environment might be hot, it's not a sauna, and the cooling vest introduces additional limitations through cables within the car. Hadjar's stance is reinforced by the option for teams and drivers to wear their own cooling vests or carry ballast when a heat hazard is declared, ensuring no weight disadvantage for those utilizing the vests.