Post by : Rameen Ariff

The FIA has applied its “heat hazard” regulation for the first time at a Formula One race due to extreme temperatures expected during this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix. The night race, famous for its steamy conditions, combines high heat and humidity, exposing drivers to cockpit temperatures reaching as high as 50 degrees Celsius.

According to the governing body of motorsport, “Having received a forecast predicting that the Heat Index will be greater than 31 °C at some time during the race at this event, a Heat Hazard is declared.” This rule was introduced after drivers faced exhaustion during the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix.

The heat hazard allows drivers to wear a cooling vest, which circulates cold liquid through tubes to regulate body temperature, or to add extra ballast to their cars. From next season, these cooling vests will become mandatory for races in hot conditions.

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Williams driver Carlos Sainz, reflecting on the challenging conditions in Singapore, said, “Humidity on its own is not too bad, but when it’s 28-30 degrees plus humid, it gets to Singapore levels, and that’s tough.” Sainz noted that the cooling vest his team uses is still in development and may not last the full two-hour race. “Teams are improving the system each time. Hopefully, now it can work for at least an hour,” he added.

Sainz, who secured his first podium of the season in Azerbaijan, tempered expectations for similar results in Singapore due to his car’s setup. He also discussed his personal methods of handling the heat, including ice baths before hot races. “We started doing it eight to ten years ago. Now, everyone uses them,” he said. Sainz also hinted at other personal techniques to manage extreme temperatures but chose to keep them private to maintain a performance advantage.

The declaration of a heat hazard underscores the extreme physical demands on drivers in Singapore and the growing importance of safety measures in Formula One races held in high-temperature environments. Fans can expect strategies and equipment adaptations this weekend as teams prepare to face one of the most physically demanding circuits on the F1 calendar.

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