Following the problems encountered by drivers at the Qatar Grand Prix, the FIA is to launch an investigation in order to avoid a repeat.

"The FIA notes with concern that the extreme temperature and humidity during the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix had an impact on the wellbeing of the drivers," said the FIA in a statement in reaction to the scenes of drivers barely able to climb from their cars and claims that the heat compromised safety.

"While being elite athletes, they should not be expected to compete under conditions that could jeopardise their health or safety," the statement continued.

"The safe operation of the cars is, at all times, the responsibility of the competitors, however as with other matters relating to safety such as circuit infrastructure and car safety requirements, the FIA will take all reasonable measures to establish and communicate acceptable parameters in which competitions are held.

"As such, the FIA has begun an analysis into the situation in Qatar to provide recommendations for future situations of extreme weather conditions. It should be noted that while next year's edition of the Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled later in the year, when temperatures are expected to be lower, the FIA prefers to take material action now to avoid a repeat of this scenario.

"A number of measures will be discussed at the upcoming medical commission meeting in Paris. Measures may include guidance for competitors, research into modifications for more efficient airflow in the cockpit, and recommendations for changes to the calendar to align with acceptable climatic conditions, amongst others. Research from other series, such as cross-country events in extreme climates, will be examined for potential applications to circuit events. The FIA's commitment to closer cooperation between technical, safety and medical departments under the leadership of the FIA President will facilitate this process."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 11/10/2023 13:25

"We shouldn't underestimate the dangers of excessive heat on human physiology.
In my youth I worked with a scientific outfit doing research for the British Army into acclimatisation for servicemen being sent to Malaya (as was).
In addition to measuring the physiological & psychological consequences of excessive heat-exposure we also investigated means of speeding acclimatisation in order to mitigate these, so troops could start fighting immediately.

The upshot was that the effects of excessive heat on unacclimatised people severely limit their performance in physical tasks & often incur short-term psychological problems. Acclimatisation can be expedited, but takes a period of days using specialised & uncomfortable means."

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2. Posted by dejan, 11/10/2023 0:50

"On the positive side there will be no heat issues in the Las Vegas race in November - someone might get a frost bite, but that's a different (also related to greed) issue."

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3. Posted by ian_w, 10/10/2023 23:38

"In all seriousness,

Even a healthy young person will die after enduring six hours of 35-degree Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) warmth when coupled with 100 percent humidity, but new research shows that threshold could be significantly lower.

At this point sweat – the body's main tool for bringing down its core temperature – no longer evaporates off the skin, eventually leading to heatstroke, organ failure and death.
https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-identify-the-maximum-heat-limit-the-human-body-can-take
So, what is the "wet bulb temperatures" equivalent inside the the layered flame resistant, non-breathable Nomex racing suit inside an F1 cockpit and what is the effect on the body?
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/17/heat-stress-heatstroke-temperatures

What global locations and at what times are likely to place participants is sporting events at extreme risk for their specific endeavours?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/08/deadly-humid-heatwaves-to-spread-rapidly-as-climate-warms-study

"

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4. Posted by Max Noble, 10/10/2023 23:20

"@Mad Matt - my thanks for considered feedback. That’s just the sort of respectful discussion PitPass serves to generate!

@elsiebc - very good point. I’d forgotten how much effort went into the entire night race scenario. Whereas, as you note, they were just seeking “destination cities” that were willing to pour vast rivers of gold into their waiting vaults. No consideration of other factors.
"

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5. Posted by elsiebc, 10/10/2023 18:30

"Yes, the FIA needs to make the teams provide a more comfortable working environment for the drivers because the teams have no interest in preventing their drivers from passing out behind the wheel or just not performing at their peak. The fault lies with the calendar, with liberty not taking environmental factors into account and the sanctioning body approving it. I believe that environmental extremes are a selling point for the various grand prix and Liberty overplayed their hand on this one. Call to mind how much research and testing were done before scheduling the first night race."

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6. Posted by Mad Matt, 10/10/2023 15:46

"OK, thanks Endre and Max, both fair points:

The suits/underwear issue: I hadn't taken that into account and while I have seen people out welding and building in 40-42C it's always been in countries where safety standards are lower and they were wearing less protection than I'd expect to see in 1st world countries.

Temperature in the car at 50: Also a good point although I can assure you an uninsulated block built building with little ventilation and a concrete roof gets a lot hotter than 40C in a country where 40C outside temp is normal. Working in those conditions was where my northern European heritage reached its limits :-)

Then I suppose they will either have to make the teams provide better ventilation and insulation from heat sources or put a limit on what are acceptable conditions."

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7. Posted by Endre, 10/10/2023 13:22

"@Mad Matt Your examples don't really compare. They stated, the temperature in the car reached over 50C, with very limited air circulation and the drivers have 3 layers of fire rated clothing. No matter your age or physical condition, that is brutal."

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8. Posted by Max Noble, 10/10/2023 13:21

"@Mad Matt - please do all of that in a heat producing car, in mandated fire proof underwear, and over suit. I can assure you your skin temperature will exceed 50C and you will feel very sick. I’ve had welders nearly die on me in Northern WA because they are wearing welding gear, inside a giant metal pipe and welding in the conditions you just outlined… it could kill Usain Bolt. All that running around with lots of water, running tops, and shorts is nothing compared to what the drivers just went through. Respectfully, you’ve very much missed the point here."

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9. Posted by Chester, 10/10/2023 12:43

"Too many desert races. Period."

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10. Posted by Mad Matt, 10/10/2023 12:41

"In some respects I'm not sure I see the problem... let me explain.

Taking Max's example of 35C and 93% humidity. I, as a not so young man (think more DC's age than any of the current drivers) ran 10k in these conditions this summer and I'm not that fit and come from a country where those kind of conditions are rare. I ran slower than normal and kept a close eye on my heart rate and made sure I drank before and during. I'm an adult so I took care of myself.

I've also played football in 40C in humid conditions... and that was very hard for me.... but the locals did it without any problems.

So, my rather rambling point is; shouldn't we expect these professional athletes known as F1 drivers, to manage their hydration and health themselves? Slow down if they can't manage or insist on better ventilation from their teams?

It also seems unfair against people from countries where 40C is a normal day.

Anyway, I say these things to give an alternative point of view......"

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11. Posted by Spindoctor, 10/10/2023 11:22

"@Max Noble has cracked it again. I know FIA lives in Northern Europe & Americans rarely travel outside the US of A, but surely both Liberty & FIA could have done a teensy-weensy bit of research?

More seriously I think it's time to acknowledge that the infamous 1.5C threshold is now more or less passed & we can expect the climate & weather to become more extreme & less predictable. "minimal travel, and optimal local weather conditions" should be, as Max has suggested, the sine qua non of planning F1's calendar

Let's also forget the cringe-worthy applique green "crap" which F1 is frantically smearing on. Motorsport, especially F1, especially when it travels, is a dirty, oily & ecologically destructive pastime. The Emperor can don as many new outfits as he likes, but that won't change....."

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12. Posted by ian_w, 10/10/2023 10:45

"Even a cursory examination of some of this year's races (or cancelled) has shown weather patterns are becoming more and more highly irregular. September has been reported as "gobsmackingly bananas" for having shattered global temperature records. There are record droughts AND record rainfalls everywhere. The waters off coast of Florida were hotter than a hot tub, where you should only stay 15 mins, while the fish are slowly poached.

Between the heat in the Middle East and typhoons in the Ask-Pacific, plus your everyday flash flooding in Europe and heat waves in North America, it's going to become increasingly difficult to schedule a show must go on 20+ event calendar.

Maybe Ben Sulayem needs to consider 24 races, but only 20 will count, allowing for cancelling?

Maybe F1 can do like Qatar did for FIFA stadiums and make the entire Middle-East venues air-conditioned ? Right below the giant banks of lights, giant banks of air chillers? I'm sure their host nations have enough cash to throw at the problem to greenwash a solution!"

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13. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 10/10/2023 9:42

"@ Max Noble

“Let’s organise the season around minimal travel, and optimal local weather conditions”

You would think that would have been a common sense policy from the FIA and Liberty? "

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14. Posted by Max Noble, 10/10/2023 5:56

"Living and working in Western Australia he can get hot… but Southern WA tends to have dry heat, while Broome, and further North are effectively tropical with a wet, and a dry season. Over 35C (95F), and 65% humidity is brutal! And I’m talking lounging around the pool with a very cold beer! Put simply people die.

The most shocking thing is that F1 didn’t have a look at typical weather patterns for this time of year - which with a quick google are listed as “…90F to 98F.” So not difficult to identify this was going to be the typical range on race day…

Hopefully the simple fix of “Let’s organise the season around minimal travel, and optimal local weather conditions” can be adopted by the FIA, and Liberty Media for setting dates, and locations moving forward…
"

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15. Posted by elsiebc, 10/10/2023 3:44

"Pressurized temperature controlled race suits. Make the electrical portion of the PU greater to power it. Headsup display and lose the useless mirrors. Then they can design tracks with loops and inverted sections, just like my Hot Wheels had! (Yeah, I'm full of $#it)"

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FIA to investigate heat issue in Qatar

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