Sports Formula 1
Nearly unconscious riders vomiting into their helmets
As of: 1:26 p.m. | Reading time: 4 minutes
Verstappen is crowned world champion for the third time
Max Verstappen has fulfilled his mission and been crowned Formula 1 world champion for the third time in a row. The Dutchman had already secured his title before the end of the sprint race in Qatar.
Max Verstappen became Formula 1 world champion for the third time. The number one topic at the race in Qatar was the extreme conditions. The fact that there was no catastrophe is apparently just a coincidence. The shocked drivers are now raising the alarm.
In the scorching heat of Qatar, Formula 1 reached its limits and perhaps only escaped dire consequences with luck. There were several terrible scenes of almost unconscious drivers vomiting into their helmets during the race and requiring medical attention afterwards
“That was far too dangerous,” said McLaren driver Lando Norris after the brutal ordeal in Qatar. “I thought I was going to faint. It was crazy how hot it was, like an oven,” said George Russell, describing his journey in the Mercedes. Several drivers were treated medically for dehydration in the toughest conditions after the Grand Prix in the desert north of Doha, and Williams newcomer Logan Sargeant even gave up prematurely due to exhaustion. “When people are in such bad shape, it’s too much. We still have to talk about that,” said third-placed Norris.
Logan Sargeant vomited during the race
Those: Getty Images/Rudy Carezzevoli
The American Sargeant had vomited in his vehicle and couldn’t even get out of the car on his own in the garage. Supported by the mechanics, the 22-year-old was taken away, but he later got better and the doctors released him from the track hospital. Just like teammate Alexander Albon, who also had to be examined because he was exposed to high heat in the cockpit for too long. Williams apparently had problems because the cockpit heated up additionally for a reason that was not yet known.
But many colleagues also felt bad during and after the heat race. Esteban Ocon from Alpine was feeling sick at times and had difficulty reaching the finish. “I have never experienced something like that. “I’m actually physically prepared to even do two race distances, but that was just too much for me,” said the Frenchman. The Spanish newspaper “Marca” wrote of a “hellish race”.
“The hardest race of my life”
When the conditions cause the racers to almost pass out at 300 km/h and threaten to lose control of the cars, a limit has been crossed. “You can’t see so well, your reflexes are much slower. A lot happens to the body and that makes it difficult to be precise at 320 kilometers per hour when visibility is no longer as good as it was at the beginning,” explained Ferrari star Charles Leclerc.
Max Verstappen completely exhausted after the race
Quelle: Getty Images/Mark Thompson
“It’s like being in a sauna, it’s just too warm,” said world champion and race winner Max Verstappen, who is known for his excellent fitness: “It has nothing to do with training because we are all very fit.” The Dutchman usually always climbs quite relaxed from his Red Bull, but his 14th win of the season took all his strength one day after successfully defending his title. The 26-year-old had to sit down and was sweating more than ever before.
“That was the hardest race of my life,” said runner-up Oscar Piastri from McLaren and demanded: “We have to talk about it, it’s not a good situation for us drivers.”
“I felt like my right side was being burned.”
Former world champion Fernando Alonso even asked his Aston Martin team over the radio whether they could simply pour water over his head during a pit stop. “But that wasn’t allowed,” said the 42-year-old Spaniard: “My seat was burning hot and I had the feeling that my right side was being burned by the heat.”
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Even towards the end of the race at around 9.30 p.m. local time, temperatures were still over 30 degrees and humidity was almost 80 percent. It had been even warmer in the previous days, with temperatures sometimes rising to more than 40 degrees during the day. “You have to look at it, it was definitely way too warm. These temperatures are too extreme,” said Verstappen.
At least the racing calendar for next year eases the worries in the paddock. For 2024, the Grand Prix is not scheduled for December 1st, two months later at the beginning of winter. At least what is considered winter in Qatar.
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