FIA Declares Heat Hazard Ahead of Sepang Race
FIA activates heat-hazard measures at Sepang
The FIA has declared a heat hazard ahead of Sunday’s race at Sepang International Circuit, triggering additional measures for Formula 1 drivers. The decision was made under Article B1.5.10 of the 2026 F1 Sporting Regulations after the Official Weather Service forecast a Heat Index above 31.0°C during the race.
Teams must fit the components of the Driver Cooling System to their cars, and the system must be functional and available for use. Drivers may choose not to wear the cooling equipment itself, but additional ballast is then required. A five-kilogram Heat Hazard Mass Increase also applies for the race.
The measures are intended to address the demands placed on drivers in the conditions forecast for Sepang. The FIA’s heat-hazard response has become a significant part of the rules governing racing in extreme heat.
Sepang’s physical demands
The 5.543-kilometre circuit combines long straights, heavy braking zones and fast, flowing corners. That layout requires sustained physical effort from drivers, while the heat and humidity of Malaysia’s tropical climate add to the challenge. Sepang is often considered a complete test, with its climate contributing substantially to the demands of a race weekend.
Conditions can also shift quickly. Thunderstorms and heavy rain may arrive at short notice, adding another element of uncertainty to the weather picture. The heat-hazard declaration, however, follows the forecast Heat Index threshold set out in the regulations.
Cooling measures introduced after Qatar
F1’s heat-hazard regulations were introduced after extreme conditions at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where several drivers suffered from heat exhaustion. The Driver Cooling System circulates chilled fluid through equipment incorporated into the driver’s protective clothing.
At Sepang, the requirement for teams to have the system available gives drivers access to that cooling equipment during the race, while the option not to wear it remains theirs. The associated ballast requirements apply alongside that choice, making the FIA’s declaration a direct operational measure for Sunday’s event.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.