The International Automobile Federation (FIA) motor racing governing body is set to look into whether future calendar changes to the prestigious Formula 1 (F1) series will be necessary in order to deal with extreme weather conditions.
In a statement following the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday (October 8), in which track temperatures reached more than 35C resulting in some drivers needing medical attention post-race, the FIA said: “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 wellbeing of the drivers. While being elite athletes, they should not be expected to compete under conditions that could jeopardize their health or safety …
“As such, the FIA has begun an analysis into the situation in Qatar to provide recommendations for future situations of extreme weather conditions.”
The governing body added that next year, the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for later in the year (December 1), “when temperatures are expected to be lower.” However, it added recommendations and analysis will take place now, “to avoid a repeat of this scenario.”
The 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, held at the Lusail International Circuit on the outskirts of Doha, was only the second edition of the race, which made its debut in 2021 but then did not take place last year due to Qatar hosting the soccer FIFA World Cup in the latter months of 2022.
It is set to remain on the calendar from this point through 2022, with a decade-long contract having been unveiled from 2023 onwards at the same time as the original race two years ago was unveiled. This year's edition was won by world champion Max Verstappen.
Next season, among the 24 F1 races scheduled are multiple with the potential for extremely hot temperatures.
Events during the height of the Northern Hemisphere summer - July and August - will take place in Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy, while Middle Eastern races at either end of the season will be held across Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
24 races is the most ever to be held across a single F1 season, with each year’s calendar put together by the F1 commercial rights body and then approved by the FIA.
The FIA has now said that measures that may be taken for future races in difficult temperature conditions could include “guidance for competitors, research into modifications for more efficient airflow in the cockpit, and recommendations for changes to the calendar to align with acceptable climatic conditions, among others.”
During the weekend’s race - which took place in extremely hot temperatures despite being held at night - Williams driver Logan Sergeant felt too ill to continue and had to retire.
