Singapore GP Declared First-Ever “Heat Hazard,” Drivers Required to Use Cooling Gear

The Singapore Grand Prix has been classified as a "heat hazard" for the first time in Formula 1 history, requiring all cars to be equipped with driver cooling systems ahead of this weekend's race. Race director Rui Marques invoked the new FIA rule on Thursday due to forecasted temperatures exceeding 31 degrees Celsius (88 Fahrenheit), with Saturday's practice sessions expected to hit 32°C and Sunday's race climbing to 33°C under high humidity. This measure aims to safeguard drivers from extreme conditions on the demanding 4.94-kilometre Marina Bay street circuit, known for its physical toll despite nighttime racing.

Introduced in the 2025 regulations by Formula 1's governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the cooling vests feature a network of tubes circulating chilled fluid to regulate body temperature during gruelling stints. While optional for use, the vests must remain installed in vehicles, preventing teams from shedding weight for performance gains. Even drivers opting out require alternative cooling equipment and added ballast to match the vest's 1.5-kilogram load, ensuring parity. The FIA developed this technology following the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where intense heat left multiple drivers—including Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll—needing medical intervention for dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Singapore's race, a staple since F1's inaugural night event in 2008, has long tested endurance with ambient temperatures often surpassing 30°C and humidity levels around 80%. Past competitors, such as Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, have described cockpit conditions as sauna-like, with in-car hydration systems warming to "hot tea" levels, exacerbating fluid loss at rates up to 4 litres per hour. The 62-lap circuit's 23 corners demand relentless focus, amplifying physiological strain. This year's hazard declaration, triggered by wet-bulb globe temperature thresholds, underscores F1's evolving emphasis on athlete welfare amid climate challenges.

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As teams like Mercedes and Red Bull fine-tune setups, the rule could influence strategy, with added weight potentially affecting tyre wear on the abrasive track. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, a two-time Singapore winner, welcomed the innovation, noting it could level the playing field in a championship where Max Verstappen leads by 62 points. The weekend's events, from Friday's free practice to Sunday's 5 p.m. start, promise high drama, blending safety advancements with the circuit's reputation for surprise overtakes and safety car interruptions.

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