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Heatwave Challenges F1 Drivers at the Red Bull Ring
The Austrian Grand Prix is the first race of the season designated as a 'heat hazard', rekindling the debate over cockpit cooling systems.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-06-25T09:23:20.000Z - 1 min read
Amid a record-breaking European heatwave, the Austrian Grand Prix is the first race on this year's calendar to be declared a heat hazard. The protocol was introduced last year and previously implemented in Singapore and the United States to address extreme conditions facing the drivers.
Inside the tight cockpits of Formula 1 cars, temperatures climb to well over 40 degrees Celsius. Combined with multiple flame-resistant layers, including a balaclava and helmet, overheating is a serious concern. A specialized cooling system—often a vest—can offer relief, though drivers remain divided on its effectiveness.
Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar finds cooling vests uncomfortable, citing too many hoses cluttering the cockpit. Furthermore, his experience shows that the systems only work briefly before the cooling liquid heats up past ambient temperatures. Hadjar stated he has never felt the need to fully rely on the system.
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri takes a different approach and is considering wearing one this weekend. While acknowledging that a malfunctioning system could make conditions worse, he sees the potential upside when it works correctly. It might not be a game-changer, but if it provides even a slight drop in temperature, the Australian believes it is a personal preference worth considering.