Jenson Button urges drivers to speak up and demand change to avoid physical exhaustion like in Qatar GP

Many drivers complained of the heat and exhaustion they had to face at the Qatar GP

Jenson Button urges drivers to speak up and demand change to avoid physical exhaustion like in Qatar GP

Lando Norris and Jenson Button (Via IMAGO)

Jenson Button, the 2009 F1 World Champion, shared his thoughts and suggestions for drivers after the Qatar GP. Button reminds the fans of the demands and exhaustion the drivers have to face in a Formula 1 race. The Englishman, having first-hand experience of the physical and mental needs of F1, wishes to become an advocate for the driver’s well-being.

Many drivers complained of severe heat and dehydration at the Lusail International Circuit after the 2023 Qatar Gp last Sunday. The intense fatigue and restlessness ruined the races of drivers like Logan Sargeant, who had to retire due to feeling extremely unwell after a heatstroke. Drivers like Lance Stroll and Esteban Ocon complained of passing out and puking inside the cockpit of their respective cars. The race at Losail was one of the hardest trials of drivers’ careers, which some have called “hell” and “torture.”

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Lance Stroll unable to get out of his car after Qatar GP race

Button, who was not at the Qatar GP race, spoke to the reporters at the Petit Le Mans sportscar event and asked the drivers to take a stand, saying, “Until drivers speak up, they won’t change it.” He further added, “I remember racing F1 in Malaysia when my water bottle broke, I had big issues in the race. You start shivering and then you lose your vision. […] Then it gets dangerous, so I’ve felt how bad it can be.”

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Button addressed the conditions of the race by comparing the Formula 1 race with IndyCar, as reported by Autosport, saying, “IndyCar has a closed kinda cockpit, and it’s clearly hot in those cars, and I know they don’t have power steering, so I know it hurts them too. But then they don’t pull the same G forces as an F1 car pulls.” He further added some of his own experience, saying, “When I raced NASCAR in Austin, I almost stopped in the race. I said to the team, ‘I can’t do this anymore’ – I was just so hot. So different cars have different issues with heat.” 

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FIA guarantees driver action after the intense Qatar GP race

The FIA, on last Monday, issued a statement following possibly the hardest race of all the driver’s careers. The governing body further stated that it would launch a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Qatar GP since it is evident that drivers shouldn’t be expected to participate under such circumstances. A FIA representative confirmed that they will not shy away from their duties and will make hard decisions if needed.

Max Verstappen after the Qatar GP (via Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool)

The statement by the FIA read, “The FIA notes with concern that the extreme temperature and humidity during the 2023 FIA Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix had an impact on the well-being of the drivers.” FIA confirmed they will discuss new modifications and airflow of the F1 car at the next medical commission meeting in Paris. According to the federation, they are already working closely with the FIA president, Md. Ben Sulayem, for commitment to closer cooperation between technical, safety, and medical departments.

It should be emphasized that the Qatar Grand Prix is planned for later in the year when temperatures are predicted to be lower; the FIA wants to take concrete measures now to prevent repeating this situation.

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