F1 News: George Russell Rejects New Safety Measure - "Not Enough”
Mercedes driver George Russell, who is also the director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, revealed that the new cooling vents on F1 cars, added this year to enhance airflow to the drivers, won't be enough if they were to race under extreme heat conditions like Qatar last year.
Key Takeaways:
- George Russell, Mercedes driver and Grand Prix Drivers' Association director voiced concerns about the effectiveness of newly added cooling vents on F1 cars under extreme heat conditions, referencing the high temperatures experienced in Qatar last year.
- Following the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where drivers faced medical issues due to extreme temperatures, F1 teams incorporated air vents to redirect airflow to drivers in the cockpit.
- Pirelli's implementation of a maximum stint length on tire sets, combined with concerns about cuts, led to faster race paces. In response, the FIA approved a new cooling duct for 2024, but Russell, after testing, expressed doubt about its adequacy in addressing heat-related challenges observed in Qatar.
Following the Qatar Grand Prix of 2023, where several drivers received medical attention due to extremely high temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius, Formula 1 teams have incorporated air vents on their cars to redirect airflow towards the drivers in the cockpit. The combination of elevated nighttime temperatures and increased humidity during the race made it feel like the mercury had surpassed 40 degrees.
Red Bull Press Image
Compounding the issue, Pirelli implemented a maximum stint length on tyre sets due to concerns about cuts. This adjustment permitted drivers to maintain a much faster pace compared to typical race lap times.
As a corrective measure for 2024, the FIA approved a new cooling duct, allowing it to be positioned closer to the driver—a departure from the previous restriction that confined it to the nose area of the car.
After experimenting with the new vents on the Mercedes W15 F1 car during the pre-season testing in Bahrain, Russell determined that the cooling measures would be inadequate. When asked by the media how the new vents would have performed under heated conditions like Qatar last year, he said:
“There was more change with that extra event, but I don't think it would have made a substantial difference in Qatar last year.
“I think with the ambient temperatures we had and the humidity, the feeling was [in the] high 40 degrees. I think somebody had a calculation that the feeling was 48 degrees in Qatar.
“Ever since Romain [Grosjean]’s crash a couple of years ago, the race kits are getting thicker and thicker with fireproof layers.
“The body temperature was probably closing in on 40 degrees which is borderline ‘you're getting [sent to] the hospital'.
“[It’s] a very, very small step but unfortunately it’s still not enough.”
