'Heat Hazard' Declared for F1's Austrian GP as Europe Battles Scorching Weather
Drivers will use cooling vests or carry extra ballast as forecast temperatures reach 32 C, officials said.
- The FIA activated heat hazard rules for the Austrian Grand Prix on Thursday as temperatures are forecast to reach 32°C. Drivers must either wear cooling equipment or carry five kilograms of ballast to ensure no competitive advantage.
- Following the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where extreme heat caused drivers to require medical attention, the FIA introduced these measures. Lance Stroll collapsed after the race while Logan Sargeant retired due to heat-related exhaustion.
- Drivers may opt to wear a cooling vest that pumps liquid through tubes to lower body temperature, or carry five kilograms of ballast. The FIA made the equipment voluntary to avoid mandatory, potentially uncomfortable design requirements.
- Feedback from drivers remains mixed, with some finding the system uncomfortable or distracting. Max Verstappen, who declined the equipment, said "It should be a personal preference," arguing the tubes and belts create awkward design.
- This marks the first time Formula has utilized heat rules in Europe, though the protocol was previously implemented for the Singapore Grand Prix and the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
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▶️ The FIA has placed the Austrian Grand Prix at risk due to heat, as mercury is likely to exceed 31°C. In this context, drivers are authorized to use a cooling kit in order to avoid distress situations in white-heated cars. What does it consist of? - “Heat-related risk” during the Austrian F1 Grand Prix: what is the cooling kit that drivers will be able to use? (Sports).
The governing body of motorsport, the FIA, has issued the heat protocol for the Austrian Grand Prix this coming weekend.
Pilots could use a mandatory cooling kit (ANSA)
The extreme heat wave that is investing Europe also arrives in Formula 1. For the Austrian Grand Prix, scheduled this weekend at the Red Bull Ring, the International Car Federation (FIA) has activated the Heat Hazard protocol, scheduled for the races held in extreme heat conditions. The decision has been taken after the forecasts indicating a heat index above 31 degrees, threshold set by the regulation: for the first time the standards introduce…
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