The FIA has declared a heat hazard for the Singapore Grand Prix for the first time in Formula 1 history, with temperatures expected to exceed 31°C at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The governing body's warning, issued under Article 26.19 of the Sporting Regulations, mandates that teams must equip drivers with cooling vests or compensate with additional ballast.
Drivers who choose not to use the cooling vests will have to carry an extra 0.5kg of ballast in the cockpit. The FIA stated that the decision was based on a forecast from the Official Weather Service predicting a heat index above 31.0°C during the race.
Singapore is notorious for being the most physically demanding race on the calendar, with cockpit temperatures reaching up to 60°C. In 2023, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell missed post-race media duties due to mild heatstroke, and Russell's breathing difficulties were later shown in Netflix's Drive to Survive.
However, not all drivers are pleased with the cooling vest solution. Haas's Esteban Ocon expressed discomfort, saying the device's placement causes pain with the seat belts and restricts fitting in the seat. He noted that he and teammate Ollie Bearman cannot currently use the system.
