New Delhi, September 3: The governing body of Formula 1, the FIA, has declared a ‘Heat Hazard’ for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza. This decision comes in light of expected rising temperatures during the race weekend in the city.
In a statement released on Thursday, the FIA noted, “According to Article B1.5.10 of the FIA F1 regulations, based on information from the official weather service, the ‘Heat Index’ is projected to exceed 31 degrees Celsius during the race.”
This regulation allows drivers to utilize cooling systems. The primary aim of declaring a ‘Heat Hazard’ is to provide additional cooling to drivers. The system includes components such as pumps, plumbing, and thermal storage. The cooled fluid is delivered to drivers through a specialized fireproof vest equipped with multiple tubes. All main components of the system must be installed in the cars, although drivers can choose whether or not to wear the vest, as its design is still under improvement.
Article B1.5.10 of the sporting regulations states, “Any driver may opt not to wear any personal equipment considered part of the ‘Driver Cooling System.’ In such cases, all other components of the system, including the cooling medium, must be installed in the car. Additionally, any weight difference between the standard personal equipment and the equipment that is part of the system must be compensated by adding a 0.5-kilogram ballast in the cockpit.”
The Italian GP will be the fourth Formula 1 race to be declared a ‘Heat Hazard.’ Previously, the Singapore GP and the United States GP in 2025, along with the Austrian GP earlier this year, were also designated as such.
According to AccuWeather, temperatures in Monza are expected to reach 34 degrees on practice day, Friday. On Saturday, when Practice 3 and qualifying will take place, temperatures may rise to around 35 degrees. The main race day on Sunday is also projected to see temperatures around 34 degrees.
The FIA began analyzing racing under adverse weather conditions after the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix. Ahead of the 2025 season, the FIA confirmed that if forecasts indicate temperatures of 31 degrees Celsius or higher during a sprint or Grand Prix race weekend, a ‘Heat Hazard’ will be declared.
The battle for the F1 title is heating up, with five drivers within 87 points of each other ahead of the Monza GP at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli leads the title race with 242 points, while teammates George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton are tied for second with 183 points each.
Current champion and McLaren driver Lando Norris is in fourth place with 159 points, followed closely by Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc with 155 points. After upgrades made by the ‘Papaya Team’ (McLaren), Norris has won the last two races, while Ferrari has also upgraded its engines ahead of the Italian GP as teams strive to catch up with the ‘Silver Arrows’ (Mercedes).
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