F1’s ‘extreme heat’ protocol in Singapore: Colapinto’s cooling vest | OneFootball

In the lead-up to the Singapore Grand Prix of Formula 1 taking place this weekend, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) has activated a protocol for “extreme heat” and allowed drivers to use cooling vests for the first time. This means that one of those who will be able to use it is the Argentine Franco Colapinto, who has been undergoing special preparation.

The measure is a response to the harsh scenes witnessed in Qatar 2023, when several competitors suffered dehydration and discomfort due to high temperatures. The organization warned that conditions at Marina Bay exceed usual parameters.

With peaks close to 32°C and humidity above 75%, the body has required teams to incorporate cooling systems in the cars and opened the option for drivers to use special clothing with cooling liquid.

What is this special vest like? It is a suit developed by Chillout Motorsports under the name Cypher Pro Micro Cooler and consists of dozens of meters of tubing connected to a small unit that cools the liquid independently from the car. The set is fireproof and weighs around five kilos, which poses an extra challenge in the fine-tuning of the single-seaters.

Among those who have confirmed its use are Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, representatives of Aston Martin. Enrico Cardile, their director, explained that the dilemma lies in choosing between opening more air intakes in the bodywork—which reduces speed—or opting for the internal suit: “Walking that fine line is key, because what you gain in cooling you lose in aerodynamics.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.