P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Liam Lawson is not a fan of a proposed rule change to F1.
American F1 driver Liam Lawson expressed his disapproval towards the mandatory use of cooling vests in F1, stating he would be “pretty disappointed” if this becomes enforced. Following extreme weather conditions at the 2023 Qatar GP, the FIA initiated the development of cooling vests, which made their debut at the ’25 Singapore GP due to heat hazards. The vests were again required in the United States when temperatures rose above 31 degrees. Despite plans to make them obligatory for drivers in 2026, many, including Lawson, oppose this decision, with some experiencing issues like Kimi Antonelli’s vest failure during practice in Austin. Lawson believes safety devices like the Halo and the HANS device are crucial, unlike the cooling vests, which he finds unnecessary and uncomfortable. He emphasized that while drivers endure intense training to operate the cars, adding an unnecessary variable like the cooling vest might not be beneficial and should not be mandatory.
