‘It was so hot...my body was ready to give up’: Russell joins chorus of F1 stars slamming Qatar GP

GEORGE Russell says the sweltering Qatar Grand Prix went ‘beyond the limit of what is acceptable’ — raising the question of what can be expected of modern Formula One drivers.

Cockpit heat exceeded 50°C in stifling humidity, with no let-up across the 1hr 28min of Sunday’s contest at the Lusail circuit.

London-born Alex Albon was treated for acute heat exposure at the track medical centre, while his rookie Williams team-mate Logan Sargeant retired through illness.

Alpine’s Esteban Ocon vomited in his helmet and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll complained of fading in and out of consciousness during the 57-lap trial, won by Max Verstappen. Stroll stumbled towards an ambulance afterwards and later fell to the floor on the way to media interviews. Russell (left), who finished fourth despite a first-lap collision with Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton, says he was also on the brink of pulling out.

‘This was beyond the limit of what is acceptable,’ said Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association.

‘Over 50 per cent of the grid said they were feeling sick, couldn’t drive and were close to passing out. You don’t want to be passing out when you are driving at 200mph, and that is how I felt at times. If it got any hotter I would have retired. My body was ready to give up.’

Russell’s comments — echoed by several of his peers — go to the heart of what is fair to ask of drivers. Were they overexposed on Sunday to unnecessary, and unacceptable, risk? Or should they, as well-paid, elite sportsmen, be expected to face down danger they have voluntarily accepted?

Regardless of the answer, it is unlikely such trying conditions will pertain when F1 returns to Qatar next year. Instead of being staged at the tail end of the hot season (May to September), the race is scheduled for December 1.

Qatar pays one of the largest hosting fees — £60million a year. There are nine years left to run on a 10-year deal.