F1 heat hazard declared for fourth time this season
Summary
The Singapore Grand Prix has been declared a heat-hazard race for the fourth time this year due to high temperatures expected to go above 31°C during the event. This status allows teams to install cooling systems that pump chilled liquid through vests worn by drivers to help manage the heat inside the car.Key Facts
- A heat-hazard race is when temperatures are forecasted to exceed 31°C during the race.
- The cooling system includes a liquid tank and pump in the car that circulates cooled liquid through a vest worn by drivers.
- Drivers can choose not to use the cooling vest but must carry 5 kg extra weight (ballast) to keep competition fair.
- Cooling vests are sometimes avoided because it is hard to keep the liquid cool for the entire race, especially in long races like Singapore.
- The cockpit temperatures can exceed 40°C, which is tough for drivers.
- Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were treated for heat exhaustion during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.
- The FIA (Formula 1's governing body) allows teams extra spending money under the budget cap to develop better cooling systems, but Mercedes chose to focus on performance instead.
- This year, heat-hazard status was also declared at the Austrian, Italian, and Bahrain Grand Prix races.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
