The Qatar GP provided a much tougher challenge than expected for the Formula 1 drivers. The extreme heat, lack of wind, and desert-like conditions made the cars a furnace. Multiple drivers suffered from heat exhaustion during the race. Esteban Ocon vomited 15 laps into the race. Fernando Alonso wanted cold water to be thrown on him during a pitstop. Logan Sargeant felt so unwell, that he had to retire. Have a look at the struggle they faced.
Logan had to Retire
Logan Sargeant had to take the toughest call of his fledgling Formula 1 career at the Qatar GP. He had to retire mid-race due to not feeling well. Reports revealed that Logan Sargeant had flu-like symptoms before the race. However, the extreme heat made his condition much worse. In the garage, he struggled to get out of his car.
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Drivers Struggle Mid-race
Fernando Alonso has seen a lot of things in Formula 1. He has driven in multiple races in Singapore, and in Bahrain during the day. However, at the Qatar GP, even he struggled. He complained about his seat being too hot. He wanted his team to throw water at him during a pitstop. When a veteran like Fernando Alonso struggles like this, you know it’s bad.
Meanwhile, multiple drivers were opening their visors on the main straight at the Qatar GP. George Russell even drove with his wrists as he tried to cool his hands.
Esteban Ocon revealed that he had puked just 15 laps into the race. However, he continued to soldier on.
Drivers Struggle After the Race
The real problems for the drivers arose after the Qatar GP ended. At such high speeds, the drivers are full of adrenaline. Once that dies down, everything else starts to hit.
Alex Albon was seen struggling to get out of his car. His team immediately took him to the medical centre.
Lance Stroll immediately went to the ambulance after finishing the Qatar GP. He looked disoriented as well. He would reveal later on that he felt his vision getting blurred in the last 25-30 laps.
Lando Norris later revealed that multiple drivers fainted in the medical centre. Is this really how we need to conduct a Formula 1 race? The FIA has some serious questions to answer.
