Ex-Formula 1 driver turned pundit Martin Brundle has defended with Lewis Hamilton, after agreeing with the Mercedes driver’s opinion that the physical nature of the Qatar Grand Prix is what F1 is all about.
The recent Qatar GP was a controversial affair, with the drivers having been met with immense heat and humidity, resulting in uncomfortable driving conditions.
Logan Sargeant retired from the race after feeling unwell, Fernando Alonso was burnt in his cockpit in the opening laps, Esteban Ocon threw up in his helmet twice and Lance Stroll supposedly passed out.
That was just what unfolded during the race, with several drivers having collapsed in the medical centre afterwards.
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Parc ferme was littered with drivers laid out on the floor, physically and mentally destroyed from the unbearable heat.
Most openly admitted that it was the toughest conditions they’d ever competed in and that it should never happen again.
Hamilton disagreed with this take ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, with him having insisted that the drivers get paid the huge sums that they do to compete in the toughest conditions.
He insisted that he enjoys driving in conditions similar to the ones seen in Qatar, as it separates those who have trained the hardest to those who have trained the least.
The seven-time World Champion’s view has received a mixed reception, given that he crashed out of the race on the opening lap.
Brundle completely agrees with the 38-year-old though and stresses that the sport must “keep” the physical challenges that make F1 what it is.
“I’m with Lewis on this,” Brundle said on Sky Sports F1. “I’ve been lifted out of a car a couple of times – two races I’m particularly proud of – I’ve rolled it into a ball, run back to get in the spare car.
“So I feel qualified to say because I’ve been there, done it.
“NASCAR, GT, everybody puts up with a lot of temperature.
“Qatar was right on the limit. It’ll get sorted out for next year.
“We are guardians of this great sport. We’re just passing through. All of us here! We represent the blood, sweat, tears, broken bones, lost lives of the previous 73 years.
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“Hundreds of millions of people tune in. Hundreds of thousands spend hard-earned money to turn up to see something incredible, something you couldn’t or wouldn’t want to do yourself.
“After the race the drivers looked like total heroes. I could see they were struggling.
“We edit out most of the danger. Many would say that’s a good thing. We can’t edit out the challenges. We have to keep them.”