FIA Declares Heat Hazard for Austrian Grand Prix

The FIA declared a heat hazard for the Austrian Grand Prix as Europe’s first major heatwave of the summer sent temperatures soaring at the Red Bull Ring. Forecasts pointed to air temperatures in the mid- to high-30s Celsius, with 34C expected on Saturday and 38C on Sunday. The FIA said the warning was triggered after the heat index was forecast to rise above its 31C threshold, and track temperatures could climb into the 50s Celsius. Austria has already broken June temperature records during the heatwave.

Under Formula 1’s 2025 heat-hazard protocol, teams must install driver cooling systems and the cars’ minimum weight rises by five kilograms. Drivers may choose to wear liquid-cooled vests that circulate coolant through a fireproof top, or skip them and carry ballast instead. F1 encouraged drivers to use the vests, but some drivers have criticized them as uncomfortable and unreliable if the dry ice runs out. George Russell has backed the concept after using it in Singapore last year, where the rule was first used.

The heat-hazard rule was introduced after the extreme conditions at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, when several drivers needed medical attention. It was originally meant to make the vests mandatory, but they remained optional after drivers raised concerns about comfort and effectiveness. The FIA also updated the rule for 2026 sprint weekends, allowing heat-hazard declarations separately for the Sprint session and the race, with the decision due 24 hours before each begins.