Circuit of the Americas, Austin, 2022

The FIA has invoked Formula 1’s ‘heat hazard’ regulations again at the United States Grand Prix.

It first applied the rules, which were introduced this year, at the Singapore Grand Prix two weeks ago. They have been triggered because the official weather forecast for the race indicates the heat index will be higher than 31C during the sprint race or the grand prix in Austin.

Sunny conditions are forecast throughout the three-day event. Temperatures are expected to peak at around 35C on Saturday, when the sprint race and qualifying for the grand prix will take place. Sunday’s grand prix should see cooler temperatures, albeit still in excess of 30C.

The rules require teams to fit cooling systems to their cars. However drivers may choose whether or not to use the parts which attach to their overalls. The regulations also increase the minimum weight of the cars for the event so drivers do not gain a weight advantage by not running the cooling systems.

George Russell won the race in Singapore while using the cooling device. Max Verstappen, who finished second, opted not to use it, and said the FIA should not make it mandatory for future seasons.

“I don’t like the tubes that are on your body, with the belts that go next to you,” Verstappen explained. “They can say it’s a bad design, I disagree. It just needs to be an option for the drivers to choose. Some like it, some don’t, and that’s fine. It should be a personal preference.”

“The problem is that in GT cars or any other cars, prototypes, you have a bit more space to put stuff or at least put the cables,” he explained. “In our cockpits, it’s so narrow that there is not enough space.”

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