Mercedes introduced the third generation of OMP’s One Art Air racing suit at the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell becoming the first drivers to use the new design. Developed to improve breathability in extreme conditions, the 2027-specification suit combines advanced fabric technology with sublimation printing, allowing Mercedes to incorporate elaborate special designs without increasing weight or compromising driver comfort.
The Marina Bay weekend provided an ideal environment for the latest evolution of the Italian manufacturer’s racing equipment. Singapore is among the most physically demanding events on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, with high temperatures and humidity placing considerable strain on drivers even though the race takes place at night. The circuit’s numerous slow corners also limit vehicle speeds, reducing the amount of fresh air flowing through the cockpit.
Why Mercedes introduced its new OMP racing suit in Singapore
The cooling challenge at Marina Bay affects both the car and the person driving it. The same principle that makes power unit cooling difficult at low speeds also applies inside the cockpit: reduced airflow makes it harder to dissipate accumulated heat. Scientific studies have shown that greater cockpit comfort can improve a driver’s reaction capabilities, making effective temperature management a matter of safety as well as performance.
The objective is therefore to help the body breathe, encourage sweat evaporation and maximise the circulation of fresh air. These considerations led Mercedes to introduce the latest generation of the One Art Air, described as the world’s most breathable racing suit. The equipment was developed and supplied by Italian manufacturer OMP as part of its exclusive collaboration with Adidas.
Mercedes had already tested the first two generations of the suit at previous Formula 1 events. One notable example was the floral design used at the Miami Grand Prix last year, where Kimi Antonelli secured his first Formula 1 pole position. At Singapore, however, Kimi Antonelli and George Russell became the first drivers anywhere to race with the third evolution, specifically engineered to deliver even greater breathability.
OMP explains the development of its third-generation racing suit
Paolo Delprato, President and CEO of Racing Force Group, which also includes OMP, explained the extensive development work behind the technology in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com.
“Over the years, after considerable effort and many hours spent on research, we managed to create this racing suit that allows us to use sublimation printing technology. It is particularly high-performing in terms of weight, but also in other characteristics, including breathability,” Paolo Delprato explained.
“It turned out to be the most breathable racing suit in the world, which is why, for example, Mercedes chose it for the Singapore Grand Prix.”
The decision to pursue further improvements in breathability did not originate from an FIA requirement. Instead, OMP itself identified driver comfort as an important area for development, recognising its potential benefits for both performance and safety.
The same philosophy is also being applied to Bell helmets, another brand within Racing Force Group.
Paolo Delprato also confirmed that the Singapore debut represented an important step in the company’s development programme, with the latest version already offering improvements over its predecessors.
“Mercedes used generation three for the first time in the world at Singapore, which is the 2027 version of this suit and offers even better performance than the first generations. And new versions are already in development for the future.”
How sublimation printing makes Mercedes’ special Singapore design possible
Another distinctive feature of the Singapore weekend was Mercedes’ special livery, introduced to celebrate the Asian round of the championship. The team’s racing suits featured particularly elaborate floral decorations, demonstrating how the latest manufacturing technology can accommodate complex designs without sacrificing the technical properties of the equipment.
Until a few years ago, producing such intricate graphics would have been considerably more difficult. Traditional methods would have required additional layers of material to reproduce the decorative elements, increasing the overall weight of the suit.
The One Art Air overcomes this limitation through sublimation printing technology. Although the process has long been established in the fashion industry, OMP was the first company to introduce it into motorsport racing suits.
Unlike conventional printing techniques, sublimation allows colours and graphics to penetrate directly into the fabric. This makes it possible to reproduce detailed patterns without adding weight or compromising breathability, an especially important advantage in the demanding climatic conditions of Marina Bay.
For Mercedes, the technology meant that Kimi Antonelli and George Russell could wear the team’s distinctive Singapore designs while benefiting from the improved ventilation characteristics of the third-generation suit.
The Singapore debut also demonstrated how racing equipment development continues to advance alongside Formula 1’s wider technical evolution. While the One Art Air’s latest version is designated as a 2027 product, Mercedes was able to introduce it during the 2026 season, with OMP already working on further generations designed to improve driver comfort in the future.
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