FIA enforces extreme measures once again ahead of US GP weekend

"In accordance with Article 26.19 of the Sporting Regulations, having received a forecast from the Official Weather Service predicting that the Heat Index will be greater than 31.0 °C at some time during the Sprint or Race at this event, a Heat Hazard is declared," the governing body has communicated.

This means that, to cope with the high temperatures — just as was the case at Marina Bay during the previous round — drivers will be required to use the so-called driver cooling system, which will be mandatory for everyone on the grid.

Before getting into the car for any session held under heat hazard conditions (including this weekend’s Sprint), drivers will have to wear a fireproof vest adapted to allow cold fluid to be pumped through it.

This measure was first introduced in Singapore two weeks ago, with the aim of avoiding the physical issues several drivers experienced during the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, when many suffered from heat-related illnesses — and some, like Logan Sargeant, were even forced to retire due to the extreme conditions.

The measure has also been made mandatory for the Texas weekend, as temperatures equal to or exceeding 31°C are expected “at some point,” according to the Heat Index.

The FIA has mandated that every car must be fitted with the cooling system, though drivers are free to decide whether or not to use it. Those who opt out will need to carry an additional 0.5kg of ballast to balance out the weight difference.

Some drivers, including Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, have expressed some doubts about the new safety device introduced by the FIA. Here are some of their reactions.