The FIA has declared a Heat Hazard for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, with temperatures expected to exceed 31°C during the race despite the continuing threat of rain. Teams have already received the official notification, meaning every Formula 1 car must be equipped with the Driver Cooling System for the Malaysian weekend.
The measure adds another weather-related challenge to the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang. Rain remains a possibility across all three days of the event, but the weekend is also expected to be extremely hot, with race-day temperatures forecast to rise beyond 31°C.
FIA declares Heat Hazard for Sepang
The FIA has activated the procedure under Article B1.5.10 of the Formula 1 regulations after receiving the official weather forecast for the event.
“Pursuant to Article B1.5.10 of the FIA F1 Regulations, following receipt of a forecast from the Official Weather Service indicating a heat index exceeding 31.0°C at any time during the Race at this Event, a Heat Hazard has been declared.”
The Heat Hazard procedure has already been used this season at the Austrian Grand Prix and again at Monza. It forms part of a series of measures introduced by the FIA to reduce the thermal stress experienced by drivers in particularly demanding conditions.
Driver Cooling System must be fitted to every car
Under the Heat Hazard rules, Formula 1 cars must be equipped with the Driver Cooling System. The refrigeration system is installed in the car and uses dedicated tubing to supply a cooling vest that can be worn by the driver during the race.
The vest contains a complex network of cooling tubes designed to help control the driver’s body temperature. The aim is to reduce the risk of dehydration and the associated loss of concentration in extreme conditions, particularly when cockpit temperatures can reach peaks of around 50°C.
The demanding weather conditions will add another variable to a weekend already carrying unusual technical challenges as Formula 1 returns to Malaysia. The complete event timing can be followed through the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
Drivers can choose whether to wear the cooling vest
The FIA does not require drivers to wear the cooling vest itself. Each driver is free to decide whether to use it, even though the cooling system must be installed in the car.
If a driver chooses not to wear the vest, however, the team must compensate for the difference by adding approximately 0.5kg of ballast inside the car. The requirement is intended to prevent any performance advantage from being gained simply by choosing to race without the cooling equipment.
Sepang therefore presents Formula 1 with two very different weather concerns at the same event: the possibility of rain throughout the weekend and potentially severe heat during the race. With the FIA Heat Hazard already formally declared, teams must prepare for both before cars take to the Malaysian circuit.
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