Carlos Sainz in Singapore - Photo: Race Pictures

Debated F1 device backed: ‘There's a performance advantage’

09:18, 09 Oct

Updated: 10:30, 09 Oct

byKada Sarkozi

Max Verstappen or Charles Leclerc were critical of cooling vests in Singapore, Carlos Sainz is clear about why he opts for using it.

"As soon as you start studying a bit of physiology, you understand that there's a performance advantage."

- Carlos Sainz

While some drivers are cold on the cooling vests, the Williams driver is in favour of the using it, as it gives him an advantage.

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"I'm happy not to make it mandatory and the ones that don't want to use it have a disadvantage in the race," the Spaniard said.

"For me, it's as simple as that. I'm so convinced it works and it helps, even though I've done 10 Singapores without suffering physically and being able to finish it.

"As soon as you start studying a bit of physiology, you understand that there's a performance advantage."

Still, he also supports the drivers' against having it on. "I think if it's not a huge safety issue they should leave it open [to drivers to choose]. If they don't want to because they feel really uncomfortable then don't use it."

Gabriel Bortoleto during the drivers' parade of the Singapore GP - Photo: Race Pictures

Bortoleto had it on, but 'better to turn off mid-race'

The Brazilian rookie also said that he had a positive experience with the cooling vest in Sakhir.

"Very early [in the] season in Bahrain, it worked very well for me. I know a lot of drivers have problems but for me it worked pretty well."

He also turned it on during the beginning of the Singapore Grand Prix. "It was physical, but I was expecting more, if I'm honest. I don't know if the cooling vest has something to do with that. But definitely, everyone was saying that it was going to be the toughest race of the year. And I don't know, it just didn't feel like that. But it was tough still."

"I think everyone is mandatory to use, then if you decide to turn it on or off, it's your problem. I turn it on for the first 10-15 laps and then after that it gets quite hot, the vest, so it's better to turn it off. But at least you get cool for 15 laps," he concluded.

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