Heat warning for Singapore GP

This weekend’s Singapore GP has been officially declared a “heat risk”. This is the first time a new rule has been applied in Formula 1 to help drivers.

The race director, Rui Marques, informed the teams of the rule, which stipulates that drivers will be allowed to wear cooling vests as temperatures are expected to be above 31 degrees.

The Marina Bay Street circuit is one of the most physically demanding, with drivers allowed to lose up to three kilograms (more than six pounds) during the race, which also takes place at night.

The cooler jackets have cooling tubes connected to pumps and a heat exchanger, which some drivers during testing complained were very uncomfortable in an already cramped cockpit.

Therefore, the Fia stated that wearing vests will not be mandatory but the cars will still have to be equipped with the necessary equipment for their operation.

Drivers not wearing vests will have to carry half a kilogram of extra ballast, so they will not gain an advantage over those wearing them.