FIA declares Italian GP ‘heat hazard’ event

Formula 1 teams will operate at Monza with an extra item on their checklist this weekend, as the FIA has formally classified the Italian Grand Prix as a “Heat Hazard” event.

With temperatures expected to climb beyond 31°C, conditions are likely to be significantly more demanding than the early-September norm at the historic Italian circuit.

The governing body has therefore activated its heat-stress protocol, designed to protect drivers when soaring temperatures turn a Grand Prix into a test of physical endurance as much as speed.

The decision carries a sobering reminder of why such measures now exist.

The FIA introduced its formal Heat Hazard framework after the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where oppressive heat and humidity pushed several drivers to the brink of their physical limits.

Esteban Ocon vomited inside his helmet but continued racing, while Logan Sargeant was forced to retire on medical grounds. Lance Stroll and Alex Albon both needed treatment for heat exhaustion, while others admitted they had come dangerously close to losing consciousness.

Cooling becomes part of the race weekend

Monza will consequently feature additional safeguards from the outset. Drivers will have access to fans, cooling vests and shaded areas on the grid, while the FIA-approved cockpit cooling system can also be used during track sessions.

The system is designed to circulate cooled fluid through tubing incorporated into a vest worn underneath the driver's race suit, helping regulate body temperature while the car is being driven. It remains optional, allowing drivers to decide whether they want to use the equipment.

There is, however, no loophole for those who choose to go without it. Drivers opting out of the cooling system must carry equivalent ballast, ensuring that avoiding the additional equipment does not create a weight-related performance advantage.

The FIA is also tightening its medical oversight. Post-session medical checks will be mandatory throughout the weekend, while dedicated cooling areas will be available immediately after drivers return from the track.

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For a championship already demanding extraordinary levels of physical and mental commitment, Monza's heat could add another layer of difficulty.

The Italian Grand Prix may be famous for its speed, atmosphere and passionate crowds, but this weekend the FIA is making sure the temperature is treated as a competitor that cannot be ignored.

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