P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Formula 1 drivers have two main doubts about the driver cooling system ahead of the first-ever ‘heat hazard’ race
Formula 1 drivers are required to carry a driver cooling system during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend due to a forecasted ‘heat hazard’ with a heat index of 31C or more.
The cooling system consists of a coolant circulated through tubes in a vest worn by the driver, with specific allowable coolant types like water, air, or certain solutions.
While drivers can choose not to wear the cooling vest by carrying 500g of ballast, some still have doubts about the system’s effectiveness over the course of the race.
Drivers like Carlos Sainz have mixed views, with some believing that the systems have improved over time in terms of performance and duration.
Each team’s different system will determine how long the cooling effect lasts, with challenges such as potential melting of the ice used in the heat exchanger and technical issues affecting functionality.
