The FIA has officially declared a ‘Heat Hazard’ for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix weekend at Monza. This decision, announced on Thursday, September 3, 2026, addresses the anticipated extreme temperatures. The Italian Grand Prix is scheduled to run from September 4 to 6.
Weather forecasts indicate air temperatures reaching 33°C on Friday, 34°C on Saturday, and 33-34°C for Sunday’s race. Track surface temperatures are expected to climb even higher, potentially peaking around 56-57°C.
The ‘Heat Hazard’ protocol is activated when the official weather service predicts a Heat Index exceeding 31.0°C at any point during a Sprint or Grand Prix. This threshold has been met for the Monza event.
This framework was introduced for the 2025 Formula 1 season. It followed an extensive analysis by the FIA after the challenging conditions at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix.
During that event, several drivers experienced significant physical distress due to extreme heat and humidity. Logan Sargeant retired on medical grounds, and Esteban Ocon vomited inside his helmet.
Under the ‘Heat Hazard’ declaration, teams are mandated to fit a ‘Driver Cooling System’ to their cars. This system includes a pump, plumbing, and a thermal store.
Cold fluid is circulated through a special fireproof vest, which drivers can wear beneath their race suits. While the system’s core components must be installed, wearing the vest remains optional for drivers.
Drivers who opt not to wear the cooling vest must carry 0.5kg of ballast in the cockpit. This ensures no performance advantage is gained by avoiding the additional weight of the cooling equipment.
The minimum car weight limit is also adjusted. An additional 2kg is permitted for practice, qualifying, and sprint qualifying sessions. For a Sprint or Grand Prix, this increases to 5kg.
This marks the third instance of a ‘Heat Hazard’ declaration since its introduction. Previous activations occurred at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix and the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix.
George Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, has expressed support for the system. He noted its benefits in conditions of high humidity and elevated cockpit temperatures.
‘We’ve used the driver cooling vest already a few times at the hot races but this is the first time it’s been mandatory,’ Russell stated. ‘The concept is good and when you’re racing in 90 per cent humidity and the cockpits at 60 degrees it becomes a sauna inside the car so we all welcome it.’
The high temperatures will place additional strain on power units and tyres throughout the weekend. Teams will focus on managing engine durability and tyre degradation.
While Monza’s smooth surface typically results in minimal tyre wear, the extreme heat could still influence pit stop strategies. Energy recovery systems may also see reduced efficiency.
Teams will need to balance outright power deployment with efficient energy recovery. This is crucial for maintaining performance across the long straights of the circuit.
