Austrian Grand Prix declared a heat-hazard race
The FIA has applied its heat-hazard designation to the Spielberg weekend, forcing teams to fit driver cooling systems as a European heatwave bites.
Daniel Fletcher
Writer ·
Formula One teams have been told to prepare for heat-hazard conditions at the Austrian Grand Prix after the FIA applied the designation to the Spielberg race weekend.
Reuters reporting carried by The Guardian said race director Rui Marques cited official forecasts above 31C, triggering a rule that requires teams to fit driver cooling systems such as liquid-cooled vests.
Background
The designation is the first of the season and comes as a wider European heatwave affects sport, travel and public health. Drivers are not forced to use the cooling gear, but the equipment must be available, and the car's minimum weight rises to account for it.
What happens next
The decision is more than a weather story: it shows how Formula One is adapting its safety regulations as extreme heat becomes a recurring race-management issue rather than an occasional one.
Referenced coverage: Our reporting and analysis draws on coverage first reported by The Guardian. The NE Times publishes original reporting and independent analysis written by our editorial team. We credit and link the outlets whose primary reporting informed this article.
The NE Times is an independent news and analysis publisher. Our articles combine factual reporting with clearly-written, impartial analysis. Content is for general information and does not constitute professional advice. Disclaimer.
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