This weekend’s Italian Grand Prix has been declared a “heat-hazard” race – giving drivers the option to use a cooling system in the cockpit.
Temperatures in Monza, just north-east of Milan, are expected to be higher than 31C – the barometer for a “heat hazard” race – throughout the weekend. On Wednesday, it hit 36C in Milan.
The ruling allows drivers to use a system that cools liquid in their cockpit, using pipes underneath a fireproof top worn under their racing suit.
Some drivers admit to rarely drinking water during the race and installing the cooling system is not mandatory. In order to mitigate the lack of extra weight, though, cars without it have to carry 5kg of ballast in their car.
The Austrian Grand Prix in June was the only other event declared a heat hazard race this season.
Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader by 59 points, is eyeing a first victory at home but is set to take a grid penalty for exceeding his engine allocation.
That could open the door for Ferrari and McLaren. Lewis Hamilton has only won one grand prix in the red of Ferrari, while Lando Norris has won the last two races in a return to form.
The race forms a double-header ahead of next week’s inaugural event on a street circuit in Madrid, the new home of the Spanish Grand Prix.