Italian Grand Prix declared heat-hazard race as heatwave persists

The Italian Grand Prix at Monza has been formally declared a heat-hazard race, the BBC reported on Thursday, as Italy continues to swelter through the tail end of a summer heatwave that has pushed temperatures well above seasonal norms. The designation, a rare official step for a Formula One round, reflects the extreme conditions facing drivers, teams and the tens of thousands of spectators expected at the historic Lombardy circuit this weekend.

The announcement comes as forecasters point to one final spike in temperatures across Italy before an expected sharp drop into cooler autumn weather by the middle of next week. According to The Local Italy, temperatures are set to rise from Friday and peak over the weekend, with the heat affecting much of the peninsula, including the Po Valley plain where Monza sits.