Overview

• It is the second consecutive F1 weekend under the heat‑hazard protocol following Singapore two weeks ago.
• Forecasts point to peak temperatures around 35°C on Saturday and above 30°C on Sunday, with the official heat index expected to exceed the 31°C trigger.
• Teams must install cooling systems, drivers may choose to wear cooling vests, and any driver not using a vest must carry 0.5kg of cockpit ballast to maintain parity.
• Driver feedback from Singapore was mixed, with reports of limited vest effectiveness and cockpit‑packaging concerns, while opinions split between critics like Max Verstappen and supporters such as George Russell.
• FIA officials are reviewing medical input and driver feedback for potential 2026 changes, keeping pressure on teams to improve system reliability after incidents like Qatar 2023.