The Mercedes driver joins others in voicing his opinion on the difficult conditions at the Qatar GP.
George Russell believes the hot conditions at the Qatar GP were “too restrictive” after discovering he almost fainted 12 laps into the race.
The Mercedes driver started from the other end of the grid but collided with teammate Lewis Hamilton in the first corner. He fought his way back on the opening lap before passing Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc for fourth.
The temperature reached a maximum of 33 degrees, but the drivers complained of extreme heat in the cabin due to the humidity. This was compounded by the fatigue caused by the mandatory short shifts imposed specifically for the event, which meant they were effectively going through qualifying laps during the 57 laps.
Russell: If I was hotter, I’d retire “It was outside the bounds of what I considered acceptable driving.
When more than 50 percent of the grid said they were sick, couldn’t drive, almost passed out … you don’t want to pass out when you’re going 200 miles an hour straight.
That’s how I felt sometimes. . Anything hotter and I think I would have retired because my body gave out.”
