This weekend marks the F1 Singapore Grand Prix’s comeback after a two-year absence due to the epidemic. The nation will close down public roadways in the heart of the city from September 30 to October 2 and transform them into the glitzy Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Although the event is done at night, it is well known that the circumstances are difficult. The track is famously rough, it’s hot outside, and it’s humid.
F1 drivers must thus modify their training schedules to account for Singapore’s weather. For many of them, this entails using saunas.
Carlos Sainz, a driver for Ferrari, uploaded a video on Instagram before the race in which he was seen exercising in a sauna. The caption read: “Extreme circumstances demand extreme responses… Preparing for Singapore!”
The Ferrari squad is keen about heat training: At a media event on Wednesday, Sainz’s teammate Charles Leclerc said they have been “spending a lot of time in saunas, even during the summer, at very high temperatures.”
The physical impact of losing up to 3 kilograms, or 6.6 pounds, of water weight during the race is one of the biggest difficulties F1 drivers encounter in Singapore.
“It’s no secret that for all of us, this place feels a little bit like an oven. If you can make it through Singapore, you can compete anywhere in Formula 1 “During a press conference on Thursday, Sainz spoke to the local newspaper Today.
Valtteri Bottas of Alfa Romeo also started spending time in saunas that were heated to 100 degrees Celsius, or 212 degrees Fahrenheit, in preparation for the race on Sunday.
Along with an emoji of the Finnish and Singaporean flags, he wrote on Instagram, “Some call it heat training, but for others it’s just a daily ritual.”
Sergio Pérez of Red Bull also posted an Instagram montage of his Singapore preparation schedule, which includes weightlifting in a sauna and riding a stationary cycle.
“Sensational Singapore! preparing for the next week!” In his caption, Pérez included an emoji of a flexed bicep. .
According to information from the Meteorological Service of Singapore, Singapore, which is located one degree north of the equator, has an average humidity of 83.9%. October’s typical daily high is around 30 degrees Celsius, or 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly told Today, “Look at how many hot people are strolling around in the paddock – you can image how we feel in the cockpit.”