Hold onto your gelato, because the Italian Grand Prix is about to turn into a literal oven. Italy is roasting right now, and the FIA just dropped an official heat hazard warning ahead of this weekend’s race.
We’re not talking about a mild summer day here. The governing body had to step in after weather forecasts showed the heat index will hit over 31 degrees Celsius during the race. That’s the trigger for a special safety protocol.
But the actual temperatures? Even hotter. Qualifying is expected to reach 35 degrees, and Sunday’s race won’t drop below 33.
Now imagine strapping into a fireproof race suit, helmet on, inside a car that feels like a sauna on wheels, and pushing for over an hour.
That’s exactly what F1 drivers will have to do. So what does this heat hazard actually mean? According to the rules, it allows drivers to wear a cooling vest—or if they choose not to, they can add a ballast of 0.
5 kg to their car to avoid any performance advantage.
You’d think everyone would jump at the chance to cool down, right? Not so fast. Many drivers have reportedly been vocal about not liking the vests at all.
They’ve complained they don’t work well, and some even say they can make things worse.
Max Verstappen has been upfront about his feelings, calling it a personal choice and saying he doesn’t like the tubes and belts getting in the way. Lewis Hamilton has also argued it shouldn’t be forced on anyone, noting that no driver has ever died from overheating in a race.
And Charles Leclerc dropped a bombshell—he said the system can actually backfire once the ice is gone, leaving you with hot water circulating through the vest. That’s not exactly refreshing.
So with the FIA pushing for safety, but drivers pushing back, where does that leave the grid this weekend? Will anyone actually use the cooling vest, or will they just sweat it out?
