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Formula 1 is to introduce a device to cool drivers when conditions become too extreme in hot weather.<\/b><\/p>\n
The move, which from next season will mandate a “driver cooling kit” when a heat hazard is declared, is a response to last year’s Qatar Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
Drivers complained after the race in the Gulf state last October that conditions were “beyond the limit”<\/a>. <\/p>\n A number of drivers needed medical attention for either dehydration or heat exhaustion after a race run in high temperatures and humidity.<\/p>\n Alpine driver Esteban Ocon said he had vomited in his helmet.<\/p>\n The new cooling system involves a series of measures all aimed at reducing the temperature in the cockpit when conditions could lead to heat-related medical concerns.<\/p>\n These include a method of blowing cool air on the drivers, possibly using heat exchangers, and increasing cooling apertures in parts of the car around the cockpit.<\/p>\n The use of the device was approved on Wednesday at a meeting of the F1 Commission, which involves governing body the FIA, commercial rights holder F1 and the teams.<\/p>\n Its introduction follows what were described in a statement by FIA and F1 as “encouraging test results”.<\/p>\n