Qatar GP: Esteban Ocon reveals he was sick as Lando Norris labels situations ‘too harmful’

Esteban Ocon revealed he threw up through the Qatar Grand Prix, whereas Lando Norris referred to as the race situations “too harmful”.

The humidity, temperatures which have been in extra of 40 levels and the high-speed corners made the race extremely robust for the drivers.

One other issue was the 18-lap restrict on tyres which led to a minimal of three pit stops, so the drivers pushed more durable through the Grand Prix, which was gained by Max Verstappen on Sunday.

“I used to be throwing up by lap 15, 16. For 2 laps I feel,” Ocon advised Sky Sports activities F1 after ending seventh for Alpine in Qatar.

“I used to be doing that and pondering ‘s***, it should be an extended one’. Get it underneath management simply mentally and simply deal with what I’ve bought to try to do.

“I’ve by no means had that previously. I’ve all the time been in a position to do two race distances within the automotive, that is what I’ve all the time been coaching for, however right this moment it was simply the new air and the way scorching the engine is from behind the automotive.

“I do not suppose we notably sealed the cockpit too nicely. It will need to have been like 80 levels contained in the automotive. I am glad that subsequent yr we come again right here in December.”

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Esteban Ocon reveals he threw up in his helmet because of the excessive situations through the Qatar Grand Prix

The inaugural Qatar Grand Prix in 2021 befell in November and subsequent season’s occasion will even occur at the moment of the yr, when situations ought to be cooler.

Lando Norris, who made it a hat-trick of podiums with third place on Sunday behind McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, was very outspoken on the situations.

“I feel we in all probability discovered the restrict. I feel it is unhappy we needed to discover it this fashion. It is by no means a pleasant scenario to be in. Some persons are ending up within the medical centre or passing out,” he stated.

“It is a fairly harmful factor to have happening. But it surely’s not some extent the place you may simply go, ‘the drivers want to coach extra’ or something like that.

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Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in contrast notes within the cool-down room after a gruelling Qatar Grand Prix

“We’re in a closed automotive that will get extraordinarily scorching in a really bodily race and it is irritating I suppose on TV. It in all probability does not look very bodily in any respect.

“However clearly when you have got individuals who find yourself retiring, or are in such a nasty state, it is an excessive amount of. For the speeds we’re doing is it’s too harmful.

“I do know that this race subsequent yr is in a while within the season and it will likely be lots cooler, a couple of months later, but it surely’s one thing must be considered. I am certain we are going to discuss it as a result of it type of should not have occurred within the first place.”

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One of the best of the motion from a dramatic Qatar Grand Prix

Piastri added: “Extraordinarily scorching. Even from from the start, I put my helmet on earlier than the beginning of the race and I used to be sweating. It positively did not get any higher as soon as I used to be driving! Extremely popular.

“It was a mixture of a whole lot of issues – the humidity, having three stops meant we have been pushing flat out and simply the character of the monitor – there’s a whole lot of high-speed corners that simply naturally take its toll. Positively the toughest race I’ve finished.”

Sargeant cleared after affected by heatstroke

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Ted Kravitz appears to be like again in any respect the highest tales across the F1 paddock from the Qatar Grand Prix

Logan Sargeant was one in all a number of drivers in Qatar to endure from dehydration and said he felt “sick” on the radio through the race.

Sargeant, who’s the one driver on the grid and not using a contract for subsequent yr, initially pushed on, earlier than retiring with 16 laps to go.

“Following Logan’s retirement from the Grand Prix, he has been assessed and cleared by the medical crew on-site after affected by intense dehydration through the race weakened by having flu-like signs earlier within the week,” stated Williams.

Alex Albon was additionally taken to the medical centre and did not attend the post-race media actions, whereas Lance Stroll practically fainted when getting out of his Aston Martin following the race.

Stroll crossed the road in ninth place, however was demoted to eleventh resulting from monitor limits penalties.

“It is disappointing to not take any factors away having raced so laborious in such bodily demanding situations,” stated Stroll.

“The temperatures we confronted on the market have been excessive – extra so than another occasion – and there are many tight corners right here so that you’re always battling the g-forces.”

Verstappen: Like strolling round in a sauna

Verstappen dominated the race and in contrast the Qatar Grand Prix to Miami and Singapore – two different locations F1 go to that critically take a look at the drivers bodily.

“Once I noticed the climate earlier than coming right here, I used to be not trying ahead to it. It is simply too heat and like Lando stated, it has nothing to do with extra coaching or no matter,” stated the three-time world champion.

“I feel a few of the guys who’re struggling right this moment, they’re extraordinarily match and even fitter than me. Simply the entire day, it is such as you stroll round in a sauna and within the evening, the humidity goes up. The races are fairly lengthy.

“But it surely’s not the one place…a couple of locations are like that. Singapore is sort of like a two-hour race and it is very, very heat. I feel it is also fairly on the restrict of what ought to be allowed. So there are some things to take a look at, however this was positively means too scorching.”

Verstappen and Piastri attempt to recuperate simply moments after the Qatar Grand Prix

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who was fifth, advised Sky Sports activities F1: “I feel all people [struggled], no exceptions. I feel it was the hardest race of our careers as drivers.

“The warmth was completely loopy. Secondly, we have got a whole lot of high-speed corners. And, third, which I feel is probably the most vital factor, is including three stops. We have been all talking about tyres that it will be a full-push race for tyres with little administration.

“However I feel we possibly underestimated that that meant we have been underneath a lot extra stress within the high-speed corners, which is generally not the case.

“It is tough to place into phrases how tough it was. It was twice as tough as a race like Singapore previously.”

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