At least three drivers needed medical attention for heat-related problems after a long and difficult Qatar Grand Prix.
At least three drivers required medical treatment for heat-related issues after Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix. One driver, Logan Sargeant, retired from the race and needed help getting out of his car after a race worth of heat exposure.
Sargeant, his teammate Alex Albon, and Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll went to the medical center after Sunday's race. Racer reports Stroll described the most extreme symptoms in post-race comments, saying that 'everything goes blurry. The last 25-30 laps was just blurry in the high-speed corners, blood pressure dropping and just passing out basically in the car in the high-speed corners with high G-forces.'Drivers have been unanimous in post-race comments that the stress of the race was unusual and unacceptable. Autosport reports Lando Norris called the race 'too dangerous,' pointing out that this level of heat goes well beyond what any level of training could prepare a driver to handle. Race winner Max Verstappen said the race was 'way too hot to drive,' while sprint race winner Oscar Piastri described the event as 'probably the hardest race I've ever had in my life.' Esteban Ocon claimed that he was throwing up in the car as early as laps 15 and 16 of a 57-lap race.This year's race was so brutal likely somewhat due to the time of year. While the 2021 Qatar event was held in November and the 2024 race is set for December, the early October date puts the race in a much warmer season. Add in mandatory tire usage limits that made drivers push all-out all race and drivers were unusually stressed throughout the race weekend. Update Oct. 9, 2023, 3:00 p.m. EST: The FIA issued a statement responding to concerns from drivers: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. While being elite athletes, they should not be expected to compete under conditions that could jeopardize their health or safety. The safe operation of the cars is, at all times, the responsibility of the Competitors, however as with other matters relating to safety such as circuit infrastructure and car safety requirements, the FIA will take all reasonable measures to establish and communicate acceptable parameters in which Competitions are held.As such, the FIA has begun an analysis into the situation in Qatar to provide recommendations for future situations of extreme weather conditions. It should be noted that while next year’s edition of the Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled later in the year, when temperatures are expected to be lower, the FIA prefers to take material action now to avoid a repeat of this scenario.A number of measures will be discussed at the upcoming medical commission meeting in Paris. Measures may include guidance for competitors, research into modifications for more efficient airflow in the cockpit, and recommendations for changes to the calendar to align with acceptable climatic conditions, amongst others. Research from other series, such as cross-country events in extreme climates, will be examined for potential applications to circuit events. The FIA’s commitment to closer cooperation between technical, safety and medical departments under the leadership of the FIA President will facilitate this process.
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