The Qatar Grand Prix has become one of the important points of public debate in 2023. As much as we want to see the drivers push it all the time and perform superhumanly, we still have to have the handlebars somewhere. There is a very thin line between heroism and unnecessary risk. The Qatar debate somewhat divided society and Lewis Hamilton spoke out against the majority opinion. Even though he drove only 300 meters in Qatar, he urged his colleagues “not to be weak”.
We can all agree that the conditions in Qatar were extreme. But were they over the edge? Where do we draw the line that we will not cross in the future? Is the temperature of 80 degrees in the cockpit of a single-seater a lot? If not, is it 90 degrees? The line has to be drawn somewhere.
Veterans like Martin Brundle or Gerhard Berger were very vocal after the Qatar race, who like to compare old and new times from time to time. However, the fact is that they did not race in modern cars, their machines were not as fast in the corners and they did not have electronic and hydraulic systems under their backs, the temperature of which reaches 120 degrees Celsius.
While most riders around Qatar have spoken out in favor of finding ways to prevent extreme overheating cockpits, going against the grain was one whose Sunday lasted just ten seconds – Lewis Hamilton.
“As always, I will be controversial,” declared the seven-time champion in front of the press in Austin. “Of course, I didn’t complete the race, I couldn’t experience the pain of the other drivers, but I’ve been driving in Formula 1 for a long time.”
“Malaysia used to be much hotter and I know what it’s like to lose four or more kilos during a race and not be able to stand up after the race. I think this is an extreme sport. You won’t find marathon runners who drop out at the finish line and start arguing that the race should be shortened.” he declared Hamilton.
“This is an extreme sport and they pay us a lot of money for our work. So from my point of view, even though I didn’t feel the best after some races, I simply had to train harder. At least that’s what I did,” Lewis added.
As Formula 1 fans, we often have before our eyes images of gladiators from the 1950s who made do with wooden helmets and aviator glasses. So when Brundle, Berger or Hamilton suggest to the current drivers to brace themselves, what would Juan Manuel Fangio or Stirling Moss say to them, getting out of the car with hot oil on their bare faces?
It’s hard to compare because today’s cars are much faster and much more complex than 30 years ago. It is also a fact that today’s pilots train much harder and have a much stricter lifestyle than their predecessors. Therefore, we should not rush to unnecessary judgments.
“I personally don’t want to shorten the race or make it easier for us in any way. I want it to be extreme,” he declared Hamilton. “I want to feel the difference, I want to feel the pain, I want with extra training and determination to get that one good lap that will get me to the finish line of the race. That’s what it’s all about.’
“We have to be careful with changes. Today we have huge run-out zones and track limits. In the days of Ayrton Senna, you had grass behind the curb and you paid for your mistake. I feel like we shouldn’t be such weaklings,” declared the seven-time champion.
“Of course, if I drove the race, I would also have a problem getting out of the cockpit. But that’s exactly what I love about it. We’re getting closer to what happened in the past when Mansell would drop out after a race – it’s extreme and we’re supposed to be elite athletes, which means you have to push yourself to the limit.” he said Hamilton.
2023-10-22 08:51:19
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