The Singapore Grand Prix is known as one of the most physically demanding races on the Formula 1 calendar. The narrow streets, combined with tropical temperatures and high humidity, make the race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit one of the most challenging Grands Prix of the year. This year, for the first time, a heat warning has been issued by the FIA. But what exactly does this warning mean for the drivers?
For the first time, the FIA has issued a so-called ‘heat hazard declaration’ for a race weekend. The Singapore Grand Prix has the dubious honor of receiving this warning. The governing body only issues this heat warning if it is expected to be 31 degrees or warmer during a race weekend. For the drivers, the implications are as follows: all teams are required to install the cooling vest system on their cars.
Whether the drivers actually wear the cooling vest during the weekend is still up to them. However, the FIA hopes that with this measure, drivers who do decide to wear a cooling vest will not suffer a weight disadvantage. Drivers who prefer to leave the cooling vest in the garage are therefore given extra ballast – of 0.5 kilograms – on board. The FIA hopes this will encourage drivers to use the cooling vest.
Russell
One of the drivers who has already driven with the cooling vest is George Russell. The Brit was a fan of the new cooling system. “I definitely noticed the difference when I used the cold water,” the Mercedes driver explained afterwards. “At the start of the race, water of about sixteen degrees was circulated, which is quite nice when it’s fifty degrees Celsius in the cockpit. Of course, there are always things that can be improved, but as a team, we put a lot of time and effort into it. We were convinced that it would work and so far, it’s been good.”
