Have F1 drivers ever peed in their race suits?
Know all about how F1 drivers go about their bathroom business during the races.
Follow Us
F1 veteran Lewis Hamilton
Any normal F1 race goes on for at least 2 hours. That is a long time if a driver forgets to use the loo before the race. Formula 1 is the topmost tier of motorsport where every single detail has been given a great amount of thought. While it seems like a piece of cake, going around a circuit at substantial speeds with a massive risk is not something that the average individual would be able to handle.
It is quite obvious that there is no space in a F1 car to fit a toilet for the driver. Which is why it is not a surprise that many of the racers go to the bathroom beforehand so as to not have any issues mid race. However, there is a big possibility that drivers would have to attend nature’s call during the race. At times, it is even possible that the driver might pee in his race suit as he may not be able to hold it in.
One key thing to keep in mind is that F1 drivers are racing around a circuit at high speeds. During this moment, their focus is fully on the track so as to prevent any problems and give their best performance. During these moments, the adrenaline that pumps them up also keeps them from peeing during a race. When there is so much adrenaline flowing through your body, it is hard to attend nature’s call.
Discover: Sky Sports F1 host reveals Lewis Hamilton confessed she made him “nervous”
How do F1 drivers pee while a race takes place?
The most obvious thing that F1 drivers do is they pee in their race suit. While it doesn’t sound very appealing, it is their only choice. Some racing drivers around the world also wear adult diapers for long endurance races. The main issue of peeing in the race suit during a race is that it just doesn’t affect the driver but also the whole crew working on the car.
After the race is over, the individuals who are a part of the driver’s car crew will have to hose off everything from the car. This definitely won’t be a good sight to see. It’s a lot of trouble for the engineers. However, when temperatures in the cockpit are high, the suit will dry up again. For races like the Singapore GP, the drivers will be covered in sweat anyways.
Has a F1 driver ever peed during a race?
Yes, many F1 drivers have actually peed in their race suit during or before a race. Lewis Hamilton on the other hand has admitted that he never attended nature’s call during a race. Legendary F1 driver Michael Schumacher was rumoured to wet his race suit on multiple occasions during his glorious career. Some even say that he used to pee in his race suit before every race as a part of his pre race ritual. Multiple Grand Prix winners David Coulthard and Mark Weber have also admitted to peeing in their race car at least once.
Looking at Schumi, you could say that one needs to pee in order to be P1. Maybe Lewis Hamilton might have also followed the Ferrari legend’s pre race ritual in order to have the same amount of championships as Schumacher. While all is said and done, it is completely normal for drivers to do this. They are spending hours inside the tight cockpit so it is understandable.
In case you missed it:
Stay Updated!
Varad Joshi
(940 Articles Published)