Drivers recount the hell of Singapore: “The more laps you do, the more unbearable it becomes”

For the viewer, comfortably seated on their sofa, with a beer or smoothie in hand, the hell of Singapore is only theory. The 30°C temperature and 80% humidity are just numbers among others. So the drivers bent over backwards to make ordinary people understand the unique challenge of racing on the streets of Singapore. “We talk a lot about saunas, I think it's a good comparison because you really have the feeling of being in a very humid sauna, confirm Valtteri Bottas. That's how things feel in the car, knowing that we're wearing flame-retardant clothes stuck to our bodies. Suffice to say that it is not the outfit in which you can breathe as well as possible, not to mention that there is absolutely no air in the cockpit. Between the temperature and the loss of our fluids, it’s something.”

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A great regular at Singaporean games, Sergio Perez doesn't say it better. “There comes a point in the race where it gets hotter and hotter. And the more laps you do, the more unbearable it becomes. There are clearly phases where we pray to have a safety car, just to cool down the body and the machine a little. The hardest part is the last 20 laps. They are mentally very tough. And like I said, it's getting worse and worse. After the 15th lap it was already very hot in the car. And from there it gets worse with every turn. »

Charles Leclerc appeared marked in 2019. © Florent Gooden / DPPI

Comments which obviously bring to mind the hyper complicated conditions of Malaysia, that the F1 used to visit before settling in Singapore. “I think it's even harder than Sepang because of the number of corners there are (23), explains the Mexican. In Malaysia, it's very hot, I remember 2016, but you still have straight lines where you can relax your body a little bit. Here, even in a straight line you bounce and the brake comes in quickly, so I think Singapore is worse. »

The pilots actually expect to lose a lot of weight. Hydration will be absolutely essential in order to keep the brain as functional as possible throughout the two hours. “Just seeing the sweaty people walking around the paddock shows how hot and humid the conditions are, laughed Pierre Gasly. It also helps you understand how much you sweat in the car with all the flame-retardant clothing. One of the biggest challenges for me is that we lose a lot of fluids, around 2,5 kg and liters and this has an impact on concentration and attention. Of course, there is the physical aspect, but above all the fact that we have to stay alert because we are driving at full speed between the walls, we have to be extremely precise regarding our way of placing the car in this or that way , which is difficult when you are already at the limit of the car playing to the nearest centimeter. It's a big challenge. » The first loss of fluid is expected this Friday at noon French time for free practice 1.

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