Mercedes is among the Formula 1 teams that declines to take up an FIA-linked financial allowance aimed at developing liquid-cooled driver vests, drawing criticism in the paddock during the Southeast Asian double-header. Multiple outlets frame the issue around driver safety and performance pressures created by extreme heat and humidity.
Motorsport.com reports that the FIA provides a specific funding allowance intended to help teams develop cooling systems to reduce the risk of heat exhaustion. Mercedes says its choice not to use the program reflects practical constraints, with The Race highlighting that the team feels it cannot afford to divert resources to the cooling-vest development while the broader 2026 grid is already facing intense physical demands. Other coverage concentrates on how the decision is perceived by competitors, with the debate centering on whether existing equipment is sufficient and how teams weigh safety investment against cost.
Overall, the dispute is presented as a combination of FIA policy for driver aid, team-specific budgeting decisions, and heightened scrutiny as races in hot, humid conditions put additional strain on drivers.
