F1 drivers are split on cooling vests ahead of Singapore, the season's fourth 'heat hazard' weekend. The FIA allows teams to fit liquid-pumping systems when temps exceed 31°C, but most skip them—either by choice or because their teams haven't built reliable versions. George Russell would use one "every weekend" if Mercedes had the resources. Williams leads development; Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz praise their system. Albon recalls Qatar 2023—cockpit temps near 50°C, team-mate Logan Sargeant forced out with heat exhaustion—and says the vest keeps his focus on racing, not survival. Max Verstappen disagrees: "It's hot, but it's not a sauna." Rookie Isack Hadjar goes further: "It should be banned because it's supposed to be tough." Esteban Ocon insists the edge is underappreciated, especially when drivers aren't hallucinating in 50-degree cockpits. Whether the paddock standardizes the tech or leaves it optional will decide if cooling vests are gear or gimmick.
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