FIA Declares Heat Hazard for Italian Grand Prix at Monza

The FIA has declared a heat hazard for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza after its official weather forecast indicated that the heat index will exceed 31 degrees Celsius during the race. BBC Sport reported the declaration on Thursday, before the opening Formula 1 practice sessions of the weekend.

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Race director Rui Marques issued the notice to teams and officials under Article B1.5.10 of the FIA Formula 1 regulations. The governing body’s document said the declaration followed a forecast from the official weather service predicting a heat index above the 31C threshold at some point during the grand prix.

The designation activates Formula 1’s additional cooling procedures for drivers. Cooling vests, which circulate chilled liquid, are available for use during the race. A driver who chooses not to wear the equipment must instead carry 0.5 kilograms of ballast in the car, ensuring that declining the vest does not create a weight advantage.

Formula 1’s own weekend forecast calls for hot and dry conditions throughout Friday and Saturday, with maximum air temperatures of 34C on both days. Track temperatures could reach 56C during Friday practice and 57C during Saturday qualifying. The forecast lists no chance of rain on either of those days.

For Sunday, Formula 1 predicts a maximum air temperature of 34C and a heat index between 33C and 34C, with afternoon relative humidity around 40 percent. Track temperatures could again peak near 57C. The forecast gives a 10 percent chance of rain, confined to the period after sunset, while the race is scheduled for the afternoon.

The Italian Grand Prix is due to start at 3 p.m. local time on September 6 and will run for 53 laps at the 5.793-kilometre Monza circuit. The early declaration gives teams time to prepare the required cooling equipment and account for the alternative ballast before cars begin running at the venue.