Formula One drivers are expected to be wearing cooling vests at the USA Grand Prix this weekend after a heat hazard was declared. The FIA have confirmed that due to forecasted high temperatures in Austin, Texas, teams have the option to use cooling devices. A statement from the FIA reads: “In accordance to Article 26.19 of the Sporting Regulations, having received a forecast from the Official Weather Service predicting that the Heat Index will be greater than 31.0 degrees Celsius at some time during the Sprint or Race at this event, a Heat Hazard is declared.”Drivers will now be able to wear a cooling vest under their racing overalls to help cool them down in their cars.They are not mandatory, meaning some may decide against wearing one of the vests at the Circuit of the Americas.But rules are slightly adjusted when a heat hazard is declared, with the minimum weight of a car increased by five kilograms. So, if drivers do opt not to wear one, ballast is added to their car to prevent any weight advantage of not using the cooling system.It means there will be no advantage for any driver, whether they choose to put on a vest or not over the weekend. This will be the second F1 race in a row that a heat hazard has been announced by the FIA race directors.Drivers also wore the cooling vests just two weeks ago at the Singapore Grand Prix as temperatures soared.At the Marina Bay Circuit, temperatures exceeded 31 degrees Celsius, with humidity at 75 per cent too.Some reports have claimed that plans to make wearing the vests compulsory for all drivers on the grid are in the works.F1 drivers are going to be wearing cooling vests in Austin this weekendGettyWhat is a cooling vest? Cooling vests are a device that drivers can wear in their car to help reduce body temperature in very hot conditions. Coolant is pumped around the vest through thin tubes that are stitched in, so drivers are able to get some relief from the heat. They were introduced by the FIA as part of the Driver Cooling System that was brought in before the 2025 season began. Vests are only worn if a heat hazard is declared by the FIA.The vests are quite thick and heavy due to the material and tubing, meaning there have been some complaints about wearing them, including from four-time world champion Max Verstappen.Verstappen has been outspoken on his dislike for the cooling vestsVerstappen slams cooling vest planVerstappen admitted his strong dislike for the cooling vests at the Singapore Grand Prix, where he refused to wear one.“No, I’m not going to wear it,” he said. “I don’t really suffer from the heat that much, and it’s going to be warm anyway. “Sweating a bit is fine for me, and after 15 to 20 minutes, the vest gets really hot as well. So, it doesn’t help at all.”Verstappen added when speaking about the potential to have to wear the vests in the future: “I just think it should be an option – that you can choose for yourself whether you want to wear it or not.“It’s a bit ridiculous to be honest. In the end, it’s about your own safety and how you feel about it. “I don’t think they should make that mandatory at all.”