The FIA has declared a Heat Hazard for this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, as Europe endures a significant heatwave with temperatures at the Red Bull Ring set to soar. Forecasts predict temperatures exceeding 31°C for both Saturday and Sunday, potentially hitting 33°C by Sunday's race start. This triggers a specific protocol, allowing drivers an optional measure to combat the extreme conditions.
Drivers can now choose between wearing a dedicated cooling vest or having 0.5kg of ballast added to their F1 cars. The cooling vests were initially slated to be mandatory but became optional after drivers voiced concerns over their comfort and effectiveness. The choice presents an interesting dilemma: comfort versus carrying extra weight on a circuit where marginal gains matter. Expect driver endurance and tyre management to be severely tested under these blistering Spielberg conditions, potentially opening the door for unexpected results.
Read the full story at Motorsport.com
