FIA approves driver cooling kits from 2025 in F1

The FIA's Formula 1 Commission has approved the introduction of driver cooling kits for the 2025 season, to be used in extreme heat conditions.

Driver cooling has become a topic since the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, with several drivers suffering from symptoms of heat exhaustion after the chequered flag.

As first reported by Motorsport.com in July, the FIA and all F1 teams initiated research to improve the venting and cooling of drivers in such extreme conditions.

Initial proposals involved fitting a simplified air conditioning system to the cars but while exact technical details are yet to emerge, Motorsport.com understands the solution now agreed between the FIA, F1 and all teams involves a simplified system that no longer requires an AC unit.

The system will only be mandated by the FIA in extreme heat conditions, with the minimum weight of the cars increased correspondingly when applicable.

The Commission also agreed to change the protocol for closing up the grid whenever certain cars don't make it to the start of a race. The issue came up in Brazil when Williams driver Alex Albon failed to make the start after a heavy crash in that morning's qualifying session, with his team unable to repair the car due to the compressed timetable.

Mechanics clear the grid prior to the start

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Albon's car was withdrawn long before the race, but per the existing grid protocols the definitive starting grid had already been set and his seventh place on the grid was still left vacated.

Motorsport.com understands the FIA will now tighten up its procedure by forming the final grid one hour before the start at the latest. That means cars that are withdrawn up to 75 minutes before the start will be not be included in the final grid, and the following cars can all move up the relevant positions to close up the grid.

During the Geneva meeting the Commission, which was chaired by the FIA's head of single-seaters Nikolas Tombazis and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, also tidied up elements of the 2025 financial rules, approving expanded exemptions against the cost cap for costs relating to sustainability initiatives.

The meeting discussed the progress that has been made on the 2026 technical regulations to improve the performance levels by increasing downforce, as recently explained by Tombazis. The statement said the FIA is confident that the much-discussed technical regulations for 2026 will be ready in time for approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council after the conclusion of the 2024 season.

There have also been revisions to the FIA sporting regulations to incorporate gender-neutral language, removing certain masculine pronouns and other gendered language. Similar tweaks had already been made to the sporting regulations of F2 and F3 late last year.