0000 Hamilton The governing body confirmed the declaration after forecasts for the Red Bull Ring exceeded the trigger point under the regulations.
A heat hazard can be declared when the official forecast predicts the heat index will be greater than 31 degrees Celsius during the race.
“In accordance with Article B1.5.10 of the FIA F1 Regulations, having received a forecast from the Official Weather Service predicting that the Heat Index will be greater than 31.0°C at some time during the Race at this Competition, a Heat Hazard is declared,” read a note from FIA F1 Race Director Rui Marques to teams.
The ruling means teams must fit driver cooling systems to their cars for the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.
The system can feed cooled fluid through a fireproof vest worn beneath a driver’s race suit, though the vest itself remains optional.
Drivers who choose not to wear the vest must instead carry 0.5kg of ballast in the cockpit to offset the weight difference.
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The heat hazard rule was introduced after the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where several drivers suffered in extreme conditions and required medical attention after the race.
Austria is the first race of the 2026 season to be placed under the heat hazard designation, with Singapore and the United States running under the same rule last season.
The vest system has split opinion among drivers, with some concerned about comfort and the risk of it becoming ineffective during a race.
Oscar Piastri said he is likely to use it this weekend after trialling the system last season.
“I used [the vest] a couple of times last year,” he explained.
“There’s obviously the risk of if it goes wrong, and if it fails, then it’s worse than not wearing it.
“I think if you get the system working well, it can help a bit.
“It’s not a complete game-changer, but when I used it last year it was okay.
“There are definitely some things that are not perfect with it, but at the end of the day, it’s personal preference.
“We have to add the weight in the car anyway, so if you can get it to work and it cools you down a little bit, then sure.”
Isack Hadjar was less convinced, adding he didn’t like the added equipment inside the cockpit.
“I really don’t like it – too many tubes, too many things in the cockpit,” Hadjar said.
“It works really well for, like, 10 minutes and then it’s warm again.
“I have never been to a point where I really needed the vest.”
The Frenchman added that he expected the car to struggle before he did if conditions became too extreme.
“If I need it, that means the car as well can’t handle it, and we can’t drive. I think the car will give up before I do, in any case,” he said.
Drivers will get their first chance to assess the system during Friday practice before temperatures are expected to climb further across the weekend.
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