Bearman describes the situation with the cooling vests as 'somewhat unjust.'

      "We can't utilize it because we're too near the weight limit."

      Rookie Oliver Bearman has described the new regulations regarding cooling vests in Formula 1 as "a bit unfair." To safeguard driver health and safety in extreme heat conditions, the sport has been working on a system that circulates cooled water into a specially designed racing shirt. The Italian brand Sparco is launching its version - the Cooling Top RB86 - in Miami this weekend, and five teams, including McLaren, are set to use it, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

      Some drivers previously rejected earlier prototypes due to discomfort, but the latest concern is that only the lightest drivers can utilize them due to the added weight. The use of the cooling vests becomes mandatory only when temperatures exceed 31 degrees and the race director identifies a heat hazard.

      "I tested it in Jeddah," said Haas rookie Bearman in Miami, "and I was very pleased with it. Unfortunately, we can't employ it because we’re too close to the weight limit." Bearman believes the regulations need adjustment. "The temperature limit is quite high," he mentioned. "If the race isn’t officially declared as a heat race, only half the drivers can take advantage of them. I think that’s somewhat unfair."

      Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc added, "I tried it once, and it was really beneficial. You can really cool down, which makes a significant difference." However, he confirmed that Ferrari is among the teams that won’t permit the use of cooling vests unless it is deemed mandatory. Leclerc also raised another concern: "If the system fails to operate properly during the race, the fluid becomes warm. I'm not even sure I would use it if I could."