Lewis Hamilton argues that F1 cannot allow itself to make conditions too easy for the drivers, amidst recent conversations about safety.
The Qatar GP was one of the most controversial F1 races in recent years, but this wasn’t because of on-track drama. Whilst the contact between George Russell and Lewis Hamilton made headlines, the extreme conditions were the biggest talking point post-race.
During the race itself, there were already conditions that drivers were struggling with the unprecedented heat. Logan Sargeant was forced to retire, whilst others struggled to get out of their cars post-cars and needed to be assessed medically.
Alex Albon, for example, explained to the media in COTA that it took several days to recover from the Grand Prix in Losail. As a result, concerns have been raised about the well-being of drivers in such conditions.
Hamilton wants challenging races
However, Lewis Hamilton – who retired from the race on lap 1 – believes F1 should not make races too easy for drivers:
“I’m going to be controversial as always.
“Obviously, I didn’t do the race – so didn’t get to feel the pain that the drivers felt. But I have obviously been here a long time.
“Malaysia was much hotter than that race. And I know what it’s like to lose four or more kilos in the race and barely being able to stand afterwards.
“My feeling towards it is… This is an extreme sport. You don’t have marathon runners who are passing out after the marathon, saying you have got to make it shorter,” he explained to Sky Sports.
The FIA released a statement after the race to outline the next steps to prevent such conditions from happening again. Improved cooling in the cockpit has been proposed, in addition to re-scheduling the Qatar GP when temperatures are lower.
Hamilton welcomes “extreme” F1 races
Whilst these measures have largely been welcomed, Lewis Hamilton argues that drivers must be prepared for such conditions:
“This is an extreme sport and we are paid very highly for what we do. And from my perspective, when I’ve not been feeling great at the end of the race, I’ve just got to train harder. And that’s how it’s been for me.
“I don’t personally want them to shorten the races and make it easier for us. I want it to be extreme.
“I want to feel the difference, I want to feel pain in my body. I want to be able to, hopefully with that extra bit of training that you put… helps you get that extra lap and win that race. That’s what this is about….
“Of course, if I was in the race, I would have struggled to get out afterwards also. But, I love that.
“That makes it closer to what it was back in the day, where Mansell was passing out after a race. This is extreme and we are supposed to be elite athletes and to be elite, you need to be pushing to the limit.”
Lewis Hamilton’s comments – by his own recognition – are controversial. Debate is already spreading across social media on these statements. Generally speaking, the consensus in F1 circles is that safety must be the priority.
This is not to say that F1 drivers aren’t expected to compete in the most intense conditions. However, the physical strain seen in the Qatar GP is not sustainable and should be avoided moving forward. A perfect storm created the uniquely challenging climate in Losail, so drivers are unlikely to again suffer to that extent.
