FIA confirms use of ‘cooling scoops’ in F1 to help driver comfort

The FIA’s World Motor Sport Council has formally approved the use of a “cooling scoop” on F1 cars from 2024 to help improve driver comfort in cases of extreme heat.

The WMSC convened in Baku on Wednesday under the direction of FIA Deputy President for Sport Robert Reid to implement minor amendments and revisions to Formula 1’s technical and sporting regulations.

Among the topics discussed concerning F1, the council addressed the upcoming calendar, which is slated to feature a record-breaking 24 events, and emphasized the crucial importance of safeguarding the health and well-being of all traveling personnel for future seasons.

But driver health was also on the meeting’s agenda, with the WMSC revisiting last October’s Qatar Grand Prix and the grueling conditions suffered by F1’s field at the venue.

The extreme heat and high humidity that prevailed on race day at Lusail took a toll on several drivers. The scorching temperatures, reaching the mid-30s Celsius forced Williams' Logan Sargeant to retire from the event due to severe dehydration.

His teammate, Alex Albon, was also affected, requiring treatment for acute heat exposure after the race.

• Read also: F1 teams unite to deny complaints to FIA over Wolff allegations

Following driver complaints about the extreme weather conditions, the FIA launched an investigation and has now formally approved the use of "cooling scoops" from the 2024 season to address the issue.

The scoops are set to be located underneath the car and they will direct cool air into the cockpit.

The idea of using cooling scoops had already been approved by the F1 Commission during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, but the WMSC's approval confirms the update to the technical regulations.

This new safety measure will hopefully ensure the well-being of drivers in future races held in hot and humid conditions.

“It was noted that the FIA continues to explore technological innovations that will further improve regulatory practices in the coming years,” stated the WMSC.

“Work remains ongoing to introduce measures to combat the extreme heat that drivers experienced in Qatar this year, with the first steps having already been taken following the update to the technical regulations to permit a cooling ‘scoop’ to be fitted to the cars.

“The 2024 calendar, previously approved by Council Members, was also discussed with the health and welfare of all travelling personnel a key consideration for the future.”

Furthermore, the WMSC addressed several safety concerns, including the potential for dislodged metallic components from the underside of the cars to become a hazard.

To mitigate this risk, the FIA has imposed limitations on the number and mass of such components.

Another safety measure implemented is the reduction of the grid access time for team members from 50 minutes to 40 minutes prior to a Grand Prix. This aims to ensure a more orderly and efficient grid preparation process.

To address a safety gap related to cars starting from the pit lane, the WMSC has introduced a mandatory procedure for removing personnel and equipment from the pit lane 90 seconds after the start of the formation lap.

This ensures that the pit lane is clear of any obstacles for cars returning to the race following a pit stop.

Finally, minor adjustments were made to the 2026 technical regulations to ensure a smooth transition to the new regulations when they come into effect. These tweaks aim to clarify and streamline the regulations for the new era of Formula 1.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter