The FIA has officially designated this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix as a heat-hazard race amid the ongoing European heatwave.
Under FIA regulations, a heat-hazard classification is triggered whenever trackside temperatures are forecast to exceed 31°C while cars are on track. As a result, drivers are permitted to use a specialised cooling system that circulates cooled liquid, such as glycol, through pipes embedded in a fireproof garment worn beneath their race suits.
While the cooling kit is available to all drivers, its use is not mandatory. However, any driver who chooses not to use the system must carry an additional 5kg of ballast in their car to ensure there is no competitive advantage.
Austria becomes the first race of the 2026 Formula 1 season to receive the heat-hazard designation, with record-breaking temperatures being recorded across several European countries, including the United Kingdom.
The regulation was first introduced in 2025 and was applied at the Singapore and United States Grands Prix. Despite its safety benefits, some drivers have been reluctant to use the cooling system due to concerns over comfort and reliability. In some cases, the coolant has run out before the end of a race, causing the liquid to heat up to the car's internal temperature, which can be significantly higher than the surrounding air.
Driver safety remains a major concern, as cockpit temperatures in Formula 1 cars can exceed 40°C. Combined with multiple layers of fireproof clothing, a balaclava, and a helmet, the extreme conditions place drivers at serious risk of overheating during races.
