F1: Pilots complain about the extreme atmospheric conditions at the Qatar Grand Prix | Video

Formula 1 drivers have shown their dissatisfied with the organization of the Qatar Grand Prix, 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 pilot, as he stated Lando Norris (McLaren).

The Canadian pilot Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) confessed that he faded and had lost consciousness due to extreme heat and humidity during Sunday's 57-lap race at the Losail Circuit; Furthermore, he was seen stumbling on the way to the ambulance moments after getting out of his Aston Martin.

Lance Stroll driving down the straight and his head bangs from left to right. After the race Stroll said he passed out in the car, in this clip for me it looks like he wasn't really 100% conscious. This race was a complete disaster considering how many drivers had health problems pic.twitter.com/cdN4DtNVoV

— Aston Martin Formula 1 News (@AMF1News) October 8, 2023

Meanwhile, the Thai Alex Albon was treated by acute heat exposure at the track medical center, and his partner at Williams, Logan Sargeant He was forced to Park your car due to illness. The French pilot Esteban Ocon (Alpine) also vomited during the race.

Temperatures in the pilot cabins They exceeded 50 degrees in a test that It lasted one hour and 28 minutes. Russell, 25, who is director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association, revealed that he was about to faint after recovering from last to fourth position after his collision in the first corner with Lewis Hamilton.

Today (Sunday) 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.

And the British pilot added:

You don't want to pass out behind the wheel when you're driving at 300 km/h, and that's how I've felt at times. If it had been warmer, I would have pulled out because my body was about to give up.

This has only been the second edition of the Qatar race and the first of a 10-year contract which, with about 55 million dollars per season, is one of the most lucrative for Liberty Media, the owners of the Formula 1. Next year's edition will be held two months later, in dDecember, when it is expected to be colder.

Norris, 23 years old and who finished third, also complained about the conditions.

Today we have found the limit and it is sad that we have had to find it like this. It is never pleasant to be in a situation where people end up in the medical center or pass out. It is not a situation where you can say 'pilots have to train more'. We are in a closed car and it is very hot.

It is clear that when there are people who end up retiring or in such bad condition it is 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.

(With information from Europa Press)