FIA Heat Hazard Triggers Cooling Protocol at Monza
NXTbets Pro | Published On: September 3, 2026
FIA heat warning
The FIA has declared a heat hazard for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza this weekend, and its official forecast points to a heat index above 31 degrees Celsius across the race weekend. The heat around Milan and Monza is expected to stay high, with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius in the area. The forecast calls for 36 degrees Celsius in FP2, 35 degrees for qualifying and 33 degrees for the race start.
Italy is in its sixth heatwave of the summer.
Cooling vests optional
Under the FIA’s heat hazard protocol, teams must fit driver cooling systems, and the extra equipment increases the minimum car weight. Drivers may wear cooling vests or choose 0.5 kilograms of ballast added to their cars instead. The vests remain optional after drivers raised concerns about comfort and effectiveness.
Race director Rui Marques said in a note to teams that the forecast met the threshold in Article B1.5.10 of the FIA Formula 1 regulations. That formal trigger brings the rule into play for the first time at the Italian Grand Prix since the Austrian Grand Prix in June.
Protocol’s Qatar roots
The heat hazard protocol was introduced in 2025 after driver issues at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix. Monza now becomes the latest venue to run through that procedure.
