Shortly before the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season, adidas unveiled the new CLIMACOOL system—consisting of an insulated jacket and a specially developed cooling vest. The system will be available to the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team during races in hot conditions to support the drivers’ performance.
The innovative design was developed to address one of the biggest challenges for race car drivers: maintaining optimal body temperature before the start in hot conditions.
During a race, temperatures in the cockpits can reach up to 55–60 degrees Celsius, which can result in fluid loss of up to 4.2 kg of sweat.
The crucial time during which drivers can regulate their body temperature is a brief 20-minute window between race preparation and the actual start.
Until now, racers have typically used cooling or ice vests for this purpose, but adidas has developed the CLIMACOOL system to maximize this effect and enable an even more effective reduction in skin and core body temperature.
Maximum cooling through innovative technology
The adidas CLIMACOOL jacket combines a cooling agent with integrated fans and insulating materials. In laboratory tests, the system—consisting of the jacket and a cooling vest specially developed in collaboration with industry experts at INUTEQ—demonstrated nearly twice the effectiveness compared to conventional cooling or ice vests.
Studies suggest that lowering body and skin temperature improves both cognitive performance and decision-making. In addition, endurance performance—measured as time to fatigue in time trials—can be increased by up to 25%.
The CLIMACOOL system was developed at the adidas Innovation Lab and initially tested with Kimi Antonelli. Subsequently, both Kimi and George Russell took the opportunity to test the system under real racing conditions during the preseason test in Bahrain.
Throughout the season, it will be available to drivers whenever conditions offer a clear performance advantage. adidas will continue to work closely with the drivers and their teams to continuously optimize the design and maximize the performance benefit.
Alasdhair Willis, Chief Creative Officer at adidas: “When we returned to motorsports, we wanted to create real performance advantages for the teams. Our CLIMACOOL system is the first example of how we’re bringing innovation to the sport. We challenge ourselves to make an even greater impact, to be faster, and to develop products that are perfectly tailored to the specific needs of different sports. Our goal is to create the best for the drivers.”
George Russell, driver for the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team: “Heat management is a key issue in Formula 1. In hot races, it’s crucial to maintain a constant and optimal core body temperature inside the car. Even during the first test, I knew that the adidas CLIMACOOL system would become an integral part of my race preparation. The extreme conditions make driving even more challenging, but I’m convinced that this system will help me improve my performance.”
Kimi Antonelli, driver for the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, adds: “In particularly hot and humid races, it’s crucial to limit the rise in body temperature in order to drive at the highest level. When I tested the adidas CLIMACOOL system, I was immediately impressed by its effectiveness. It’s clear that it can give us an edge, and I’m looking forward to using it throughout the season.”
The Return of CLIMACOOL to Sports
The adidas CLIMACOOL system is already the second new product in the relaunch of the adidas CLIMACOOL range, following the introduction of an innovative CLIMACOOL shoe last year.
Originally developed in 2002, the CLIMACOOL line revolutionized the sports industry with groundbreaking cooling technologies based on extensive athlete testing. adidas will continue to expand the CLIMACOOL product lineup in the future—with solutions for elite athletes as well as innovative approaches to the next generation of cooling technology.
Earlier this year, adidas returned to motorsports and announced a long-term partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. This collaboration brings together two iconic brands in one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.
Based on a shared passion for performance and excellence, the partnership leverages adidas’s 75 years of experience in high-performance sports to support the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team on its path to success.
The adidas CLIMACOOL system will support the performance of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team drivers throughout the 2025 season.
Photos via adidas
