P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The race at Lusail featured multiple reports of drivers feeling ill, but George Russell has dismissed the opinions of former drivers who insisted the current crop should get on with it.
George Russell has spoken about the extreme conditions faced in the Qatar Grand Prix and dismissed the opinions of former drivers who criticized the current generation of racers. He explained that the combination of high-speed racing, no wind, and maximum stint lengths led to drivers struggling with the heat, with some experiencing physical symptoms such as vomiting and losing consciousness. The FIA has introduced an air scoop to help cool the drivers, but Russell argued that there is only so much the body can handle in such extreme temperatures. He compared the Qatar Grand Prix to the FIFA World Cup, where water breaks are introduced due to the heat. Russell emphasized that modern race cars have additional factors like electronic boxes and hydraulic lines that contribute to the high cockpit temperatures. He concluded by noting that the fireproof clothing worn by drivers today is much thicker than in the past, and that racing conditions have changed significantly over the years.
