Fernando Alonso believes changing wind conditions leading into the
Qatar Grand Prix could have been a factor behind the extreme heat
faced by drivers. The FIA has launched an investigation into the
Lusail race after drivers struggled to physically cope with the
demands of the race – with Esteban Ocon being sick in his helmet
while Lance Stroll admitted to losing consciousness behind the
wheel. It was brought about by a combination of factors, including
flat-out pushing made possible by the 18-lap stint lengths imposed
by Pirelli and the FIA, high G-forces with only one corner below
100kph, and no Safety Cars after the opening lap. Such conditions
were not found during the Sprint race, with three Safety Cars in
the 19 lap affair, but Alonso – who finished sixth – feels a change
in the wind conditions had a part to play in the battering
experienced by drivers. Alonso’s hottest races “It was a surprise
to be honest, because [Saturday] was not that bad, maybe it was
windy or something [and in the race], we missed that ventilation,
so it was extreme,” Alonso told media including RacingNews365. “We
need to see if in the future, there is any solution and in such
extreme conditions, if we can agree on delaying the start or
whatever. “I think it was one of the hardest races [of my career]
for sure. “When we were racing in Malaysia, at Sepang in the
daytime, I remember that to be very extreme, Bahrain 2009 I think
was 41 degrees “That one was extremely hot and this one for sure
has to be in the top three [hottest races of my career].”
Qatar Grand Prix could have been a factor behind the extreme heat
faced by drivers. The FIA has launched an investigation into the
Lusail race after drivers struggled to physically cope with the
demands of the race – with Esteban Ocon being sick in his helmet
while Lance Stroll admitted to losing consciousness behind the
wheel. It was brought about by a combination of factors, including
flat-out pushing made possible by the 18-lap stint lengths imposed
by Pirelli and the FIA, high G-forces with only one corner below
100kph, and no Safety Cars after the opening lap. Such conditions
were not found during the Sprint race, with three Safety Cars in
the 19 lap affair, but Alonso – who finished sixth – feels a change
in the wind conditions had a part to play in the battering
experienced by drivers. Alonso’s hottest races “It was a surprise
to be honest, because [Saturday] was not that bad, maybe it was
windy or something [and in the race], we missed that ventilation,
so it was extreme,” Alonso told media including RacingNews365. “We
need to see if in the future, there is any solution and in such
extreme conditions, if we can agree on delaying the start or
whatever. “I think it was one of the hardest races [of my career]
for sure. “When we were racing in Malaysia, at Sepang in the
daytime, I remember that to be very extreme, Bahrain 2009 I think
was 41 degrees “That one was extremely hot and this one for sure
has to be in the top three [hottest races of my career].”