• FIA declares Singapore Grand Prix the first 'heat hazard' race in F1 history.
• Drivers exposed to extreme temperatures, up to 50°C in cockpits.
• Cooling vests will assist drivers; mandatory regulations start next season.

The FIA has officially declared this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix as the first 'heat hazard' race in Formula One, attributing this decision to forecasted temperatures exceeding 31°C amid high humidity. This ruling brings into effect regulations that allow drivers to utilize cooling vests, designed to manage body temperature, or opt to add extra ballast to their cars to maintain equality during the race, according to BBC and Reuters.

Reportedly, the combination of high temperatures and humidity can lead to perceived cockpit temperatures soaring to 50 degrees Celsius. The FIA invoked this regulation in response to health risks highlighted during the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where many drivers suffered significant exhaustion, as detailed by Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

Drivers can choose to wear the cooling vests that circulate cold liquid to lower their body temperature or carry an extra 0.5 kg of ballast if they opt out. This decision aims to prevent any competitive advantage due to varying weight across cars. As observed by Williams driver Carlos Sainz, the humid setting in Singapore is particularly challenging, highlighting that "humidity on its own is not too bad... but when it's 28-30 degrees plus and humid, that's when it gets to Singapore levels and it's tough," reported Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The implementation of such cooling systems might still be in developmental stages, with Sainz noting that the vest used during testing may not endure the length of the race, saying, "I think teams are managing to make it work better and better every time we run it," as elaborated in reports from South China Morning Post and BBC.

Nonetheless, drivers have expressed a mixed reception regarding the comfort of the vests, indicating that while they help manage heat, they can also be cumbersome. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso mentioned, "the system works... but it is less comfortable," indicating that there is a trade-off between comfort and efficiency in heat management. This highlights the ongoing efforts within the sport to address the intense physical demands placed on drivers by extreme weather conditions, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.