F1 set deadline on major decision impacting Austrian Grand Prix

Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, has informed SPORTbible that a deadline has been set on a major decision ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.

The eighth race of the 2026 campaign will take place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, on June 28.

The track is one of the most picturesque on the calendar, sitting 700 metres above sea level and surrounded by the Styrian mountains.

It is also shorter than most circuits, featuring the fewest corners of any track currently used in Formula One. This often results in thrilling racing, with the surface placing heavy demands on tyres, while the heavy braking zones provide plenty of overtaking opportunities.

Not only will drivers have to deal with the unique track layout, but the weather is also set to impact the weekend.

BBC Weather is forecasting temperatures of up to 32°C at trackside on Friday when practice begins, before temperatures rise to 34°C during Saturday’s qualifying session and Sunday’s Grand Prix.

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When contacted by SPORTbible, the FIA confirmed that a ‘heat hazard’ would usually be declared if temperatures exceed 31°C before the start of the event, which forecasts suggest they will.

‘Heat hazards’ were introduced ahead of the 2025 Formula One season and were subsequently declared at the Singapore and United States Grands Prix.

Teams are notified of the declaration by the FIA and are then required to fit a Driver Cooling System.

In this scenario, cooling vests can be worn by drivers, although the equipment is not mandatory.

Article 26.19 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations states: “Any driver may elect not to wear any items of personal equipment that form part of the Driver Cooling System.

“In such circumstances, all other components, including any cooling medium, of the Driver Cooling System must be fitted.

“In addition, the difference in mass between the driver's personal equipment normally used and any items of a driver's personal equipment that form part of the system must be compensated by the fitting of 0.5kg of ballast in the cockpit.”

However, the FIA did confirm that cooling systems on the cars are mandatory in the event that a heat hazard is declared.

The sport’s governing body also reiterated that the race is unlikely to be delayed or suspended, but acknowledged the impact the heat could have on the cars, saying: “High temperatures have a massive impact on the cars, most notably on the engine, tyre degradation and a lot of other factors, which the teams need to adapt to.”

On Wednesday (June 24), the FIA provided further information, confirming to SPORTbible that the race operations team will decide whether to declare a heat hazard for this weekend by 9:30 am on Thursday (June 25) - 24 hours before the start of the competition.

What is the Driver Cooling System?

According to F1.com, the Driver Cooling System uses a pump, plumbing and a thermal store to generate cold fluid, which is delivered to drivers through a fireproof vest fitted with several tubes.

All core system components must be fitted to cars in the event of a heat hazard, although, as previously mentioned, drivers have the choice of wearing the vest or not.

Due to the increased load on the cars, the standard 768-kilogram minimum car weight limit will change slightly, with an additional 2kg added for practice and qualifying, while a further 5kg increase will come into effect before the Grand Prix.