The FIA has announced that it will take action to prevent a recurrence of the extreme physical strain experienced by F1 drivers during last weekend’s the Qatar Grand Prix.
Scorching temperatures and massive humidity, and a race run at a flat-out pace due to mandatory short stints, took their toll on the field of competitors at Lusail.
Several drivers – dehydrated and exhausted – required medical assistance at the end of the race to help them recover from their efforts, while Williams rookie Logan Sargeant, who suffered a heatstroke, was unable to make to the checkered flag
McLaren’s Lando Norris, who finished third, believed that in hindsight conditions were simply “too dangerous”.
“It's not a point where you can just go, the drivers need to train more or do any of that. We're in a closed car that gets extremely hot in a very physical race. And it's frustrating,” he said.
“I guess on TV, it probably doesn't look very physical at all, but clearly, when you have people who end up retiring or in such a bad state, it's too much, you know, for the speeds we're doing. It is too dangerous.
“I know that this race next year is later on in the season, and it will be a lot cooler a few months later, but it's something that needs to be thought of, and I'm sure we'll speak about it because it shouldn't have happened in the first place.”
Race winner Max Verstappen said the race had been one of the toughest he had ever endured physically.
“I think some of the guys who were struggling are extremely fit, probably even fitter than me, but just the whole day it's like you’re walking around in a sauna,” said the three-time world champion. And also then in the night the humidity goes up.
“The races are quite long, but it's not the only place. There are a few places like that. I think Singapore is almost like a two-hour race and it's very, very warm. I think it's also quite on the limit of what is what should be allowed.
“So there are a few things to look at. But this was definitely way too hot.”
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While conditions should be more bearable in 2024 with the Qatar event being held in late November, the FIA is taking a proactive approach to the problem.
In a statement issued on Monday night, it said: “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 jeopardise 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.”
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F1’s governing body says that it has initiated an analysis of 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,” it explained.
"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.”
The FIA also mentioned that it will explore potential insights from desert rallying, an arena accustomed to managing extreme heat, to identify adaptable lessons for Formula 1.
“Research from other series, such as cross-country events in extreme climates, will be examined for potential applications to circuit events,” it concluded.
“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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