SINGAPORE, Oct 8 — The Singapore Grand Prix has been declared a heat-hazard race, with temperatures forecast to exceed 31°C during the sprint and 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°C at some time during the sprint or race at this event, a heat hazard is declared for both the sprint and race,” a statement from FIA F1 race director Rui Marques reads.
Heat hazards can be declared if pre-weekend weather forecasts predict temperatures of 31°C or above at some point during a sprint or race.
Teams are then notified of the declaration by the FIA and subsequently must fit a Driver Cooling System to their cars.
These cooling devices pump liquid through a special fireproof vest worn by the driver to help regulate cockpit temperatures.
And while drivers can choose not to use the vest, they would have to carry 0.5kg of ballast in the cockpit to ensure that they do not gain a competitive advantage.
This is the fourth time the designation has been used in Formula 1 races this year, and the second weekend in a row — after it was similarly declared at the Bahrain GP held in Malaysia’s Sepang.
Singapore now joins the Austrian, Italian and last weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia in being declared a heat-hazard race this season.
According to the Meteorological Service Singapore, afternoon thundery showers are expected on Friday, while morning thundery showers are forecast for Saturday.
On race day, late-morning and early-afternoon thundery showers are forecast.
Temperatures are expected to reach 33°C over the race weekend. — AsiaOne
