2023-10-09 13:54:22
The pilots of Formula 1 have shown their discontent with the organization of the Qatar Grand Prixthe eighteenth round of the World Cup, ensuring that it was “beyond the limit of what is acceptable”, in the words of the British George Russell (Mercedes), and that it was “too dangerous” to drive, as he stated Lando Norris (McLaren).
Canadian driver Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) confessed that he had blacked out and lost consciousness due to the extreme heat and humidity during Sunday’s 57-lap race at Losail; Furthermore, he was seen stumbling towards the ambulance moments after getting out of his Aston Martin.
Meanwhile, Thai Alex Albon was treated for acute heat exposure at the track’s medical centre, and Williams teammate Logan Sargeant was forced to park his car due to illness. French driver Esteban Ocon (Alpine) also vomited during the race.
Temperatures at 50 degrees
Temperatures in the cockpits exceeded 50 degrees in a test that lasted one hour and 28 minutes. Russell, 25, who is director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, revealed that he nearly fainted after rallying from last to fourth following his first-corner collision with Lewis Hamilton. “Today has exceeded the limit of what is acceptable. More than 50% of the grid said that he felt bad, that he couldn’t drive and that he was on the verge of fainting,” he said.
Thirsty work ????
That was a gruelling race for @OscarPiastri and all the drivers #F1 #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/ztpsxzJ4dk
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 8, 2023
“You don’t want to faint behind the wheel when you’re driving at 300 km/h, and that’s how I’ve felt at times. If it had been hotter, I would have pulled out because my body was about to give up,” he revealed.
This was only the second edition of the Qatar race and the first of a 10-year contract that, at around $55 million per season, is one of the most lucrative for Liberty Media, the owners of Formula 1. Next year’s edition will be held two months later, in December, when it is expected to be colder.
“It’s too dangerous”
Related news
Norris, 23, who finished third, also complained about the conditions. “Today we found the limit and it is sad that we had to find it like this. It is never pleasant to be in a situation where people end up in the medical center or faint. It is not a situation where you can say ‘the pilots They have to train more. We are in a closed car and it is very hot,” he stressed.
“It’s clear that when people end up retiring or in such bad shape it’s too much. It’s too dangerous. I know next year this race will be later in the season and it will be less hot, but it’s still something that needs to be addressed. “I’m sure we’ll talk about it, because it shouldn’t have happened,” he concluded.
#drivers #show #anger #dangerous #Qatar #Grand #Prix