In response to the extreme temperatures experienced at last year’s Qatar Grand Prix, the FIA and all F1 teams promptly began research to improve driver cooling and ventilation in such conditions. These joint efforts have advanced, with the focus now on developing an active cooling system to be installed in F1 cars when facing extreme heat.
The FIA’s proposed system will be integrated into various small structures within the cockpit, allowing fresh air to be channeled towards the driver via a “passive scoop” mechanism. However, this system would add an additional 2 kilograms to the car’s weight.
Trials for this cooling system were scheduled to take place at Zandvoort and subsequent races, but no updates on the results have been provided.
What I’m wondering, given that no further technical details have been released, is whether this system would actually be effective in an open cockpit, such as in an F1 car. While it would likely work well in closed cockpits, F1 cars generate significant air turbulence. Would such a system still be functional under these conditions?
