Austrian Grand Prix Declared Heat-Hazard Race by FIA

The BBC reported that this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix has been declared a heat-hazard race by Formula 1's governing body the FIA. The designation applies when temperatures are forecast to exceed 31C at any time the cars are on track. Temperatures for Sunday's 71-lap race, which starts at 14:00 BST, are set to reach 33C.

Austria is the first race this year to receive the label, amid a heatwave across Europe that is establishing record temperatures in many countries, including the UK. Drivers may use a mandated cooling kit that flows cooled liquid such as glycol through pipes in a fireproof top worn under their overalls. The cooling kit is not mandatory.

Any driver who chooses not to use it must carry 5kg of ballast in their car. The rule was first introduced last year, when the Singapore and US Grands Prix ran under the heat-hazard designation. Temperatures in the cockpit of an F1 car can be more than 40C.

Drivers wear several layers of fireproof clothing in addition to a balaclava and helmet. Some drivers prefer not to use the cooling kit because of discomfort and because there have been issues with the coolant running out before a grand prix is finished, in which case the liquid ends up at car temperature, which is considerably higher than ambient.