The FIA has declared a Heat Hazard for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
Get your fans and umbrellas ready this weekend. The FIA has officially confirmed that the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia will be a Heat Hazard race.
According to Article B1.5.10 of the FIA F1 Regulations, a race will receive the heat hazard warning when the heat index is predicted to reach at least 31.0°C during the race. Current race director Rui Marques has the responsibility of declaring this rule.
F1 teams are required to take precautionary technical measures when the heat hazard is declared. Drivers can choose to wear personal equipment in the form of a cooling vest. If they don't want to go that route, other components of the cooling system will be fitted into their car, including an additional 0.5 kg of ballast to compensate for the difference in equipment mass.
The Heat Hazard rule exists due to the combination of extreme heat and humidity that drivers experienced during the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix.
This isn't the first time that the Heat Hazard was declared this season. Most recently, the FIA also declared the Italian Grand Prix as a heat hazard race.
A wet race is also possible
As early as now, Formula 1's return to the Sepang International Circuit looks like a tricky challenge for race strategists. Along with the hot and humid conditions throughout the weekend, the weather forecast also mentions the possibility of isolated thunderstorms and rain.
It won't rain continuously throughout, but the possibility of rain during certain moments in qualifying and in the race is a nightmare for drivers and teams. It's a guessing game, with luck probably playing a role in the success of the drivers.
Sepang makes for an exciting F1 circuit
With sweeping corners and two long straights, Sepang is known as a driver-favorite track. There are tons of areas where drivers can attack, especially in the long back straight leading to Turn 15.
It was a shame that financial reasons and dwindling attendance led to its cancellation in 2018, but if Sepang does better this weekend, the Malaysian GP might just make a permanent return to the calendar.
Sepang International Circuit CEO Azhan Shafriman Hanif already said that the local crowd will reach at least 100,000 this weekend. It won't be a surprise anymore, given F1's rise to prominence following its successful Drive to Survive Netflix series, not to mention the hype around the Lewis Hamilton-Max Verstappen 2021 championship battle.
