Singapore Grand Prix declared heat hazard for first-time ever

The Singapore Grand Prix has been declared as a ‘heat hazard’ by the FIA, ahead of the race weekend, marking it as the first-ever Formula 1 race to be declared as such. 

Feature image credit: Getty Images // Red Bull Content Pool

On Thursday, the FIA Race Director declared the Singapore race a heat hazard after the officials received a forecast from the Official Weather Service which predicted the ‘Heat Index’ would be higher than 31°.

Singapore is notorious with its humidity and high temperatures, with drivers expected to lose on average 2-3kg of their body weight during the race. 

As per the regulations, the heat hazard announcement has been made 24 hours prior to the start of the event. In their report, the FIA Formula 1 Race Director, Rui Marques said: 

“In accordance with Article 26.19 of the Sporting 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 event, a Heat Hazard is declared.”

Embed from Getty Images

Last year, it is widely known that Mercedes drivers, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton had suffered ‘borderline heatstroke’ after the grueling 2024 race, which featured no safety cars for the first time – increasing the effort from the drivers. Both drivers were pulled from media duties.

As per the sporting regulations, it now has an impact on how the teams, drivers and cars will operate. There are three parts to the regulations which fit Article 26.19, the section regarding a heat hazard race.

All components of the Driver Cooling System, with the exception ‘of any cooling medium’ and the drivers personal equipment that form the system, must be fitted to the car. After all components are fitted, it must be in working order, meeting specific provisions laid out in the Technical Regulations.

The second point does also allow drivers to opt out on wearing personal items that form part of the driver cooling system. If so, all other components – including any cooling medium of the drivers cooling system – must be fitted. 

As such there will be a compensation of half a kilogram of ballast added to the cockpit of the car. The final point confirms Heat Hazard mass increases will apply. 

The problem which brought the FIA to this decision follows on from the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix where drivers had to endure an extremely hot and humid race, where a number of drivers faced heat exhaustion and some required medical attention. 

Read more Formula 1 here:

• F1 extends partnership with Memento Exclusives until 2030
• Why Oscar Piastri will not take Singapore Grand Prix grid penalty
• Singapore GP Preview: Max Verstappen’s resurgence and McLaren’s title hopes
• Lewis Hamilton confirms passing of Roscoe
• Constructors championship: What does McLaren need to win title in Singapore?
• Singapore Grand Prix: the latest weather report

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.