Formula 1 drivers will have access to special cooling equipment at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix after the FIA officially classified the race as a heat-hazard event due to soaring temperatures.
The governing body applies the designation whenever forecast temperatures are expected to exceed 31C while cars are on track. Austria becomes the first race of the 2026 season to meet that threshold, with much of Europe experiencing an intense heatwave that has pushed temperatures to record levels in several countries, including the UK.
Under the regulations, drivers are permitted to use an FIA-approved cooling system that circulates chilled liquid, such as glycol, through a network of tubes built into a fire-resistant vest worn beneath their racing overalls.
Although the system is available, its use remains optional. Drivers who decide against wearing the cooling vest must carry an additional 5kg of ballast in their car to prevent any potential performance advantage.
The FIA introduced the heat-hazard rule last season, when it was activated for the Singapore and United States Grands Prix.
Despite its intended safety benefits, some drivers have been reluctant to use the cooling kit. Several have reported that it can be uncomfortable to wear, while previous races exposed another issue: if the coolant supply is exhausted before the finish, the liquid can heat up to the temperature of the car, becoming significantly warmer than the surrounding air.
Managing heat remains a major challenge in Formula 1, where cockpit temperatures regularly climb above 40C. Combined with multiple layers of fire-resistant clothing, gloves, a balaclava and a helmet, drivers face extreme physical conditions throughout a race, making effective cooling an important safety consideration.