Round 18 of the 2023 FIA Formula 1 World Championship took place in Qatar at the Lusail International Circuit, this was the second time in F1 history that a race has been held in Qatar. Despite the celebrations and exciting events of the weekend the race has been widely discussed due to the appalling conditions drivers were faced with over the course of the weekend.
Excitement came for Max Verstappen and the Red Bull Team as Verstappen’s 2nd place in Saturday’s Sprint Race secured him his third World Drivers’ Championship title. McLaren also had reason to celebrate the weekend in style after both drivers secured podium places in the Sprint and Grand Prix, with Oscar Piastri achieving his first win in the Sprint Race! The team also became world record holders after completing the fastest ever pit stop in Formula 1 history with Lando Norris’ tyres being changed in 1.80 seconds.
Despite the race being held at night out in Qatar, the race took place with temperatures inside the car’s cockpits reaching highs of 50 degrees Celsius. Conditions over the weekend were so harsh that rules were changed hours before the race to ensure drivers did not leave their tyres on for more than 18 laps and 3 pit stops were required to complete the race. Pirelli issued a statement saying the track temperatures didn’t drop below 36 degrees Celsius and it was the extreme heat that was causing the lack of tyre performance.
As well as the tyres suffering, the drivers were faced with heat issues of their own. Esteban Ocon revealed after the race that during lap 15 and 16 he vomited in his helmet due to the conditions being “like a sauna”. Similarly, Lance Stroll revealed after the race that he had been passing out intermittently during the race but felt he couldn’t say anything as it was vital to try and score points for the team.
Logan Sargent was forced to retire from the race on lap 41 after he felt too unwell to continue. After suffering from flu-like symptoms earlier in the week he became extremely dehydrated and dizzy during the race and the team told him to retire. The other Williams driver, Alex Albon, also had to be taken to the medical centre as soon as the race was over as he had to be helped out of the car after feeling faint and sick. Fernando Alonso also ended his day in the medical centre after the cooling system behind his seat failed and caused minor burns to his back.
In post-race interviews George Russel stated, ‘it was by far the most physical race I’ve ever competed in” while Max Verstappen in the cool down room was heard saying “does anybody have a wheelchair”. Every driver on the grid struggled with dehydration through the 2-hour race and it caused many to end their day in the medical centre. The FIA issued a statement on Monday 9th October saying it had started an analysis of the situation to “provide recommendations for future situations of extreme weather conditions.”
“The FIA notes with concern that the extreme temperature and humidity during the 2023 FIA Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix had an impact on the wellbeing of the drivers,” the statement read. “While being elite athletes, they should not be expected to compete under conditions that could jeopardise their health or safety.” The results and achievements made at the Qatar Grand Prix have been fiercely overshadowed by the concern for driver safety and all fans can do is hope that the FIA makes appropriate changes and decisions to ensure the next race at the circuit isn’t as dangerous.
What should the FIA do? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
Written by Cesca.
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