(Motorsport-Total.com) – The Automobile World Federation (FIA) has issued a heat warning for the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg in view of the current weather forecasts (follow all units here in the Formula 1 live ticker!).
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The basis for this heat warning is section B1.5.10 in the sporting regulations of Formula 1. It states: “If the official weather service forecasts that the heat index during […] an event will at any time exceed 31.0 degrees Celsius, […] a heat warning can be issued 24 hours before the scheduled start of the event. This heat warning then applies to the entire event.”
In fact, air temperatures at the Austrian Grand Prix are expected to be above 30 degrees Celsius on all three race days – on Friday and Saturday with only a few clouds in the sky, on Sunday with a slight chance of rain at race time. (More on this in our current weather update!)
Drivers resist mandatory cooling vests
The subpoints of section B1.5.10 describe the specific consequences of the heat warning: All drivers must either wear a special cooling vest in the race car or – if they forgo it – carry 0.5 kilograms of ballast in the cockpit area.
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Originally, the Automobile World Federation wanted to make wearing a cooling vest mandatory during heat warnings. But some drivers repeatedly spoke out against it after various trials: Some criticize that the vest restricts their freedom of movement in the cockpit. Others consider the technology not yet mature.
The four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen explains his rejection with another reason: “I don’t suffer particularly from the heat. A little sweating is completely okay for me.” According to his experience, the vest only cools for about 20 minutes and then loses its effect. Verstappen’s conclusion: “It doesn’t help at all.”
Therefore, Verstappen says: “Everyone should be able to decide for themselves.” This exact attitude has been taken into account by the FIA in its corresponding regulations.
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