The FIA has expressed concern over the high cockpit temperatures experienced by drivers during the recent Rally Portugal.
According to the FIA, temperatures in the cockpit reached as high as 70 degrees Celsius, a level that can be fatal to humans. This has raised concerns about the safety of drivers and co-drivers during the upcoming Safari Rally in Kenya.
Scientists say that human body cells start to die between 46 and 60 degrees Celsius, and temperatures of around 50 degrees Celsius can cause irreversible damage to cells. If left unresolved, the issue could result in drivers failing to complete the Safari Rally route, as warned by Hyundai Motorsport deputy team principal Julian Moncet.
The issue was identified during Hyundai's mock rally test in October 2021, but it was not noted until Portugal. The FIA has since presented proposals to address the challenges related to cockpit temperatures and encourage manufacturer teams to use the full range of options offered by the regulations.
Manufacturers are worried about the temperatures expected in Naivasha and Gilgil, which could shoot up to 24 degrees Celsius this month. The WRC Commission has expressed strong support to take urgent action, and the technical team at the FIA and manufacturers are working together to find solutions ahead of the upcoming events.
