FIA declares F1 'heat hazard' for Singapore GP - What it means

For the first time in Formula 1 history, the FIA has officially declared a “heat hazard” for a grand prix weekend as drivers prepare for the notoriously gruelling conditions of the Singapore Grand Prix.

The ruling is part of a framework introduced after the 2023 Qatar GP, where several drivers required medical attention for heat exhaustion.

“In accordance with 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 °C at some time during the race at this event, a Heat Hazard is declared,” said Formula 1 race director Rui Marques in a statement on Thursday.

The FIA now treats heat as a quantifiable safety risk, much like rain, lightning or track conditions, and can trigger extra safeguards whenever extreme temperatures and humidity pose a danger.

The Singapore GP is often described as the toughest race on the calendar, where cockpit temps can reach 55-60°C.

Until now, drivers have relied mostly on ice vests and hydration pre-race.

With the FIA’s new “heat hazard” protocols and the arrival of cooling technology, the approach is somewhat shifting.

What a “heat hazard” actually means

Unlike a standard weather advisory, a heat hazard declaration signals that conditions are not just uncomfortable but potentially harmful.

In Singapore, where track temperatures can soar past 60°C and humidity rarely dips below 80%, drivers can lose up to 3kg in fluids during the race.

Once a heat hazard is declared, specific technical and sporting regulations come into play: teams are required to equip their cars with advanced driver cooling systems, such as vests, and the minimum car weight is increased to accommodate this additional equipment.

While wearing the actual cooling vest is voluntary for drivers, all other system components must be installed, and drivers opting out of the vest must carry extra ballast to ensure weight parity.

The heat hazard status remains in force for the rest of the event, and teams, drivers, and medical personnel must adapt their procedures accordingly to manage the elevated risk levels presented by unusually high heat and humidity.

The role of cooling vests

One of the most visible changes linked to the new system is the introduction of FIA-approved cooling vests. These are fire-resistant undergarments fitted with tubes that circulate chilled liquid from a small unit connected to the car.

The aim is to keep drivers’ core temperatures under control, reducing the risks of dizziness, dehydration and fatigue.