How do F1 drivers stay cool inside cars during races in extreme hot weather?

F1 drivers are highly trained and talented athletes who race exceptionally engineered machines against each other. However, while these cars are some of the fastest in the world, they also have very high temperatures that drivers have to endure. The F1 circuit goes to all kinds of locations for races, some of them brutal due to the heat levels. Despite rising temperatures, F1 drivers manage to remain cool and composed.

Over the years, FIA and teams have devised several methods to ensure drivers remain cool before, during, and after a race. While they can cool themselves off after and before a session, when they are in the cockpit, there is not much that they can do.

One of the most common preparations that drivers undergo is getting accustomed to the heat they could face during a race weekend. Drivers usually raise their heat levels by wearing a lot of clothes and hitting the gym a few days before the Grand Prix. This increases their core temperature as they mentally prepare themselves to perform at a high level in these conditions.

When they arrive in the paddock and are about to get into their cars, they are often seen wearing cooling jackets that are filled with ice. Though they are not allowed to wear these jackets while driving, they try to lower their body temperature so that it balances the heat they will experience when they drive. Teams are also seen blowing cold air into the cockpit when the car is parked in respective garages.

When racers get into the cockpit and drive out on the track, however, they only have a handful of resources that cool them down.

One of them is that there is a drink bottle inside the car from which they can drink water. The water can be mixed with various electrolytes that help the driver stay hydrated and maintain salt levels in their bodies as they sweat.

Another method of cooling comes from the technical regulations that ensure that every car's aerodynamics work in such a way that some form of cool air is blown inside the cockpit. For instance, small vents can be observed on the front wings through which air directly goes inside the cockpit.

FIA continues to work on making F1 car cockpits cooler with new aerodynamic technologies and systems.

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FIA to test active cooling system on F1 cars after extreme heat conditions at the 2023 F1 Qatar GP

A recent report states that the FIA could soon test an active cooling system on F1 cars at the Dutch GP to ensure drivers' well-being during extreme heat conditions on certain race weekends.

Back in 2023, the Qatar GP was one of the most demanding races of the season. Drivers suffered inside their cars as the temperature remained above 31°C for the whole of the race. Following the race, it was confirmed that Logan Sargeant of Williams retired due to fainting, Esteban Ocon of Alpine puked inside his helmet and was transported to the medical center, and Aston Martin's Lance Stroll shared that he fainted briefly during the race.

After the race, the FIA decided to take action. According to Motorsport.com, following deliberations, F1's governing body has come up with the idea of adding a second cooling inlet to the front of the cockpit, mounted atop the nose. In addition, one car will be used to test an experimental active cooling system at the Dutch GP. The new cooling system would then be implemented in the technical regulations if it works as intended.

"In response to the extreme temperatures experienced at last year's Qatar GP, the FIA and all F1 teams immediately initiated research to improve the venting and cooling of drivers in such conditions. Since then, the technical regulations have been updated to allow the introduction of a passive scoop on top of the cockpit for enhanced ventilation, which teams are strongly encouraged to use," FIA statement read. (via Motorsport.com)

"These joint research activities have advanced and focused on the development of an active cooling system which would be installed in F1 cars when facing extreme conditions. Initial tests and in-situ proof of concept are planned to take place in Zandvoort and upcoming races."