Heat hazard declared for Italian Grand Prix

MONZA, Italy, Sept 3 : Formula One's governing body declared a heat hazard for this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the second time this season that it has taken such a step.

Race Director Rui Marques said in a statement temperatures in excess of 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit) had been forecast.

The Austrian Grand Prix in June was the last time a heat hazard was declared.

Declaring a heat hazard requires teams to fit a driver cooling system, such as a liquid-cooled vest, though drivers are not obliged to use them and can take a ballast penalty instead. The car's minimum weight is increased to accommodate the hardware.

Sunday's race is the 13th round of the championship, with 20-year-old Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli at the top of the standings for his home race.