FIA invokes first-ever Heat Hazard for Singapore GP

The FIA has invoked its first-ever "Heat Hazard" designation for this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix after the official weather service forecast a heat index above 31°C, triggering new safety protocols. Teams must fit cars with cooling-vest hardware (pumps, coolant reservoir and heat exchanger), but drivers may either wear liquid-circulated cooling vests or decline and carry an extra 0.5kg ballast to neutralize any weight advantage. The measure responds to extreme exhaustion and medical issues at the 2023 Qatar GP and addresses Singapore’s night-race cockpit temperatures that can reach 50–60°C with high humidity. Reactions are mixed: some drivers, including George Russell, reported clear cooling benefits in tests, while others, including Carlos Sainz, raised concerns about comfort, reliability and how long vests remain effective, and teams are continuing to refine systems after earlier tests and incidents. The FIA says the hardware requirement is in effect for the hot weekend and that vests will become mandatory in hot conditions from next season.