Former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger questions the fitness of the drivers amidst criticism of racing conditions in the 2023 F1 Qatar GP

Former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger has shared his opinion on extreme weather in F1 races and drivers' fitness levels. The Austrian is well aware of how tough it is to drive at blistering speeds in adverse climates. He emphasizes driver fitness and how some can easily handle the heat while others will stumble.

Berger initially stated that it was the same for him and the drivers he drove with back in the day. He explained that the question of extreme weather in F1 races simply depends on a driver's fitness.

According to him, top-level drivers like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton will not get sick after such an intense race.

“It was the same for us. This time, the boys seem to have pushed themselves to the limit, but it’s simply a question of fitness. If you’re in great shape, you won’t get sick. It’s a fitness problem and a circulatory issue. If you ask a Verstappen or a Hamilton, they don’t get sick even in those temperatures, because it’s a factor that you must have on the radar if you want to win,” Berger told Servus TV.

The former F1 driver then went on to reminisce about his racing days and shared how he managed his limit by slowing down in the last few laps just to avoid going overboard and hampering his health. Berger admitted that he lost a few places because of it and even felt sick after the race.

“For myself, I was often at the limit too – especially in the first half of my career – and I had to manage my limit. In a hot race in Adelaide I had to reduce my speed in the last few laps to avoid getting into a situation like we saw now – and I lost places as a result, of course. I often felt sick because I didn’t have the fitness,” he added.

---

FIA will take action on extreme weather conditions in F1 races after the intense Qatar GP

The 2023 F1 Qatar GP was hectic for several drivers. While some divulged how they threw up in the car while racing, others were about to faint and were taken to the medical center after the race.

The FIA then decided to step in and make a statement about the situation and how such intense weather races would be discussed and shifted around the calendar accordingly.

"The FIA has begun an analysis of the situation in Qatar to provide recommendations for future situations of extreme weather conditions. It should be noted that while next year’s edition of the Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled later in the year, when temperatures are expected to be lower, the FIA prefers to take material action now to avoid a repeat of this scenario," the FIA statement read.

Several F1 drivers admitted that this year's Qatar GP race was the most physically demanding race of their entire careers.