Austrian Grand Prix declared heat-hazard race amid heatwave

Austria's Grand Prix has been designated a heat-hazard race, marking the first time this year the rule has been invoked. The decision comes amid a severe heatwave across Europe, which has seen record temperatures in numerous countries, including the UK.

The heat-hazard designation was first introduced last year, with the Singapore and US Grands Prix running under this classification. The rule is intended to mitigate the serious risks associated with extreme heat for Formula 1 drivers.

Temperatures inside an F1 car's cockpit can soar above 40C. Drivers are encased in several layers of fireproof clothing, a balaclava, and a helmet, making overheating a significant concern. Some drivers have expressed a preference against using the cooling kit due to discomfort and past issues where coolant has run out before a race concludes, leading to the liquid reaching car temperature, which is considerably higher than ambient.