FORMULA ONE’S Singapore Grand Prix has already made history after it was declared as the motorsport’s first ever “heat hazard” race.
The FIA, the governing body of F1, made the ruling ahead of the race weekend as extreme weather conditions look set to push drivers to the limit.
AFPF1’s Singapore Grand Prix has been declared as the motorsport’s first ever ‘ heat hazard’ race[/caption]
AFPGeorge Russell has welcomed to the use of cooling vests but admitted they can be ‘uncomfortable’[/caption]
Temperatures at the Marina Bay Street Circuit could climb above a staggering 31 degrees Celsius amid the high humidity also present at the track.
Drivers have been offered the chance to use cooling vests to try and help alleviate the conditions.
It is not mandatory for drivers to use the vests, but teams must fit the system into their cars and make sure that any driver not using one does not gain an advantage by having a lighter car.
Mercedes star George Russell welcomed the devices to help make drivers more comfortable, but explained that the tubes connecting to the front and back of the driver could make them “uncomfortable”.
The 27-year-old explained: “We’ve used the driver cooling vest a few times already this season at the hot races, but it’s the first time it is mandatory.
“I think it’s good news. Not everyone finds the top comfortable. Over time you can adjust it to your preferences.
“The concept is good and when you’re racing at 90 per cent humidity and the cockpit is getting along for 60 degrees, it’s a bit of a sauna inside the car.”
Asked why they could be uncomfortable, Russell explained how the tubes could dig into a driver’s ribs when they pull lateral G-Force around corners.
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Russell added the vests had improved a lot since tests earlier in the season, and that Singapore should not be the biggest worry for in this regard due to a lack of high-speed corners.
Williams star Alex Albon also welcomed the move, calling it a “step forwards” in making drivers more comfortable.
He said: “I don’t see it as a bad thing. It’s safe. It’s another step forwards in terms of making drivers comfortable.
“I think likely I’ll be using it this weekend. As a team, Williams, we started using it early so we have a good grasp of how to make it efficient and work for us.
“In terms of preparation, it’s not like I’m taking the cooling vest in the sauna with me, still preparing like normal.
“I work on it maybe a bit more than other drivers just because I feel the heat quite a lot.”
Singapore is widely regarded as one of the most physically taxing races on the entire F1 calendar, with drivers losing 2-3kg through sweat alone.
The race runs close to the maximum two-hour mark for a grand prix event, which combined with its 19 corners run over an incredibly bumpy surface and the sticky weather conditions of Singapore, makes for an intense physical battle against the elements before rivals on track can even be considered.
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