Next weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix is under threat due to haze, which is a smog substance that has been covering the skies of the city for the past week.
The cloud has been covering the city for the past week which has resulted in many local sporting events to be held in the city this weekend, to be cancelled due to the health issues it could potentially pose.
The haze usually occurs every year, this year, the substance has been caused due to farmers in the neighbouring province of Sumatra burning forests to clear their land for agriculture.
The smog is currently rated under the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) as being in the mid to low range of “unhealthy” air quality, but race organizers are monitoring the situation in case it worsens which could potentially affect driver visibility.
“The possibility of haze is just one of the many potential issues that are covered in the overall 2015 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix Contingency Plan,” a Singapore GP spokesperson said in a statement to Reuters.
“The plan was formulated and refined with stake holders, government bodies and the Formula One community.
“In the event that the haze caused visibility, public health or operational issues Singapore GP would work closely with the relevant agencies before making any collective decisions regarding the event.”
“There has been a deterioration in the haze conditions in Singapore since early this morning, as the prevailing winds continued to blow in the haze from Sumatra,” the NEA said.
“As at 11 a.m. today, the 24-hr PSI was… in the low to mid sections of the unhealthy range.”
Neither the National Environment Agency or the race organizers speculated if the race could be affected or cancelled if the smog worsened.
Next Sunday’s night race will be the 13th race on the calendar, of which is one of the two night races, with Hamilton, who leads the championship comfortably the favourite to pick up his 8th victory of the season and 41st of all time.
