Hamilton sees no reason for driver cooling system: 'It's supposed to be tough'

The FIA and F1 teams are working together to desing a driver cooling system to be implemente in races were the heat is significant, something Lewis Hamilton is dead set against.

The measure was implemented due to the issues drivers faced during the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, with the then Williams driver, Logan Sargeant failing to finish the race and Esteban Ocon vomiting in his helmet, among other cases.

For Hamilton, F1 Grand Prix racing is supposed to be tough

Hamilton himself disagrees with the implementation of the system, despite himself having experienced similar situations in the past, as the Ferrari driver recalled in the paddock in Jeddah ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

"I've only had like two races in my career where it's been like Malaysia, my first year of Malaysia, my drink machine didn't work, so I was just dehydrated at the end of the race. And Singapore last year was pretty brutal."

For the Briton, however, that's part and parcell of Grand Prix racing. "But I love that. We're supposed to be the top, the highest of the highest in terms of athletes. And it needs to be tough."

Driver cooling system not needed, 'F1 cars now are easier to drive'

Hamilton, ever the fan of the turbo manual gearbox cars of early 80's, then looks back to the start of his career in F1, and compares it to the current era, making a telling revelation: "If anything, the cars today are easier to drive than when I started in Formula One. And they're a lot heavier."

The 7-time world champion then focuses on the proceses he can implement prior to a race to ensure his physical integrity whilst driving in extreme conditions is preserved as best as possible.

"I don't want to use it [the driver cooling system] if I can avoid it. I want to look at how I can prepare better, how I can use a cooling vest before, how I can pre-cool my body, how I can make sure I'm hydrated. That's a part of the whole process."

Hamilton doesn't want to see the driver cooling system in his F1 car

However, Hamilton does acknowledges the issues the drivers faced in Qatar 2023, for instance, but remains clear: it's not what he wants to see in the sport.

"I do understand that it's tough and you don't want the drivers passing out. We go to Qatar where I think that one race where it was extremely hot for the driver, which I actually did crash out, so I didn't get to do it," he adds with a cheeky laugh.

"But I think it's good that they've got the technology in there, but for me, that's not what I want to see in my car. That's just my opinion."

Earlier the Briton had addressed the weight concerns regarding the system, as acording to the Briton it adds a further 6 kilos on the already heavey F1 cars, adding a reason to the list why he wouldn't like to see the measure implemented in F1.