Martin Brundle suffered backlash from Formula One fans after opening up about extreme heat drivers had to endure during the Qatar Grand Prix.
Sunday's (October 8) race which was won by Max Verstappen who secured his third straight F1 world title the day before in the Sprint race, had drivers suffered in intense heat of up to 50C in their cockpits. Alpine's Esteban Ocon admitted that he vomited inside his helmet while Aston Martin's Lance Stroll said he almost lost consciousness on the Lusail circuit.
While the admissions of several other drivers displayed just how physically dangerous temperatures had risen during the race, Brundle, a former racing driver, said that sort of hardship is what makes the drivers heroes and the view that they shouldn't be put in that position is "weak".
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The Sky Sports' commentator's full post on X, formerly Twitter, read: "It’s races like Qatar and very rainy days which make F1 drivers look the heroes and athletes they are. Absolutely don’t buy into the weak view we shouldn’t put them through this kind of challenge. Check out Senna in Brazil, Stewart at rainy Nurburgring, Lauda post crash, etc etc".
He was immediately met with criticism from fans who were startled at his position as one F1 supporter wrote: "But there must be some point where their sense of invincibility must be questioned". Another fan said the entertainment of the sport does not trump the safety of the drivers as they commented: "The moment drivers are close to losing consciousness is the moment it goes too far, Martin. I'm all for challenges.
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"But challenges that may threaten a driver's health and safety? Now you're putting drivers in danger for no reason other than entertainment". Mercedes driver George Russell also admitted to almost losing consciousness during the race and as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, the Brit said what he and his fellow drivers had to go through was "beyond acceptable".
“It was beyond the limit of what is acceptable,” he said. “Over 50% 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 at the wheel when you are driving at 200mph, and that is how I felt at times.”
The FIA released a statement saying they had begun a review into the Grand Prix which read: "The FIA notes with concern that the extreme temperature and humidity during the 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 jeopardise their health or safety."
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