Photo via BBC Sport

Bahrain GP in Malaysia becomes third heat-hazard race of year

This weekend's grand prix at the Sepang venue, originally scheduled for Bahrain but relocated to Malaysia due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has officially received a heat-hazard classification after forecasts predicted ambient air temperatures exceeding 31 degrees Celsius alongside heavy humidity and daily precipitation risks. This designation marks the third time this classification has been triggered during the current racing calendar, following similar rulings applied earlier at the Italian and Austrian events.

The official status allows competitors the option to deploy an onboard thermal management apparatus that circulates chilled fluid via specialized tubing inside their fireproof undergarments to combat cockpit conditions that routinely surpass 40 degrees Celsius. While adoption remains voluntary, any competitor choosing to race without the liquid-cooling apparatus must add five kilograms of dead weight to their vehicle to offset potential performance advantages, though some racers historically opt against the system due to personal discomfort or potential fluid exhaustion prior to the checkered flag.

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