George Russell claims additional cooling vents on F1 cars after Qatar GP 2023 are ‘still not enough’ for safety

Formula One drivers captivate audiences with their exhilarating performances, pushing the limits on demanding tracks under extreme conditions. Yet, even with rigorous training, some drivers frequently fall ill due to these extreme circumstances, impacting their overall performances.

Recently, George Russell has been vocal about the situation by raising concerns regarding the cooling vents of F1 cars, shedding light on the issue.

George Russell claims F1 safety ‘still not enough’

Formula One is an extremely thrilling sport, infused with elements such as intensity, hard work, and adaptability. While certain countries have a rather cooling temperature that poses minimal challenges for drivers, others, like Qatar, have extreme heat and humidity, which can even challenge the most skilled competitor.

Last year, all the drivers were exposed to the open heat while driving, which had a major toll on most of them, as the minimum temperature was 36 degrees Celsius. The conditions within the cockpit became extremely challenging, and Pirelli put a maximum stint length on tyre sets due to worries over cuts. This change enables drivers to drive at a much faster pace throughout the race than usual, worsening their condition. Numerous drivers required medical attention after crossing the checkered flag, with Logan Sergeant refusing to participate any further due to his extreme condition.

By witnessing Formula One’s attempt to improve the conditions in Qatar this year, as tested a week ago in Bahrain’s pre-testing session, George Russell, Mercedes’s main driver, claimed that the cooling measurements are still insufficient by comparing them to last year’s heated environment in the country.

He said, “The body temperature was probably closing in on 40 degrees, which is borderline ‘you’re getting sent to the hospital’. It’s a very, very small step, but unfortunately, it’s still not enough.”

How is Qatar GP prepared for a crucial automobile cooling test?

Typically, Formula One cars feature engines that produce an exceptionally high level of heat, posing the risk of overheating and mechanical malfunctions in humid climates unless a continuous cooling mechanism is in place to maintain their temperature. The F1 officials have decided to add more cooling vents to prevent overheating, a method used by Mercedes, as observed in the pre-testing session in Bahrain.

F1 cars are engineered with streamlined designs to enable them to cut through the air at high velocities. However, certain sections of the car’s design are intentionally made in such a way as to catch air, contradicting the overall streamlining effect. Due to this, teams must maintain a balance between staying cool and being aerodynamic.

Additionally, the use of tyre heaters warms up the cars further, as an ideal tyre works at 100 degrees with 10 sets of tyres, each prewarmed before the pitstop. As a result, Formula One has opted against utilizing the tyre heaters directly to maintain the cars’ coolness and prevent using more electricity during races, given that the country experiences temperatures reaching up to 47 degrees Celsius.

Do you think this time it will be relatively easy for drivers to race in Qatar? Tell us about your opinions in the comment section below.