F1 News: Pierre Gasly On "Intense Heat" As Qatar Race Weekend Challenges Drivers

Pierre Gasly, amidst the intense Qatari heat, reflects on past experiences and strategically prepares for a physically demanding 2023 Qatar Grand Prix.

Pierre Gasly, the seasoned Alpine driver, candidly shared his experiences and anticipations ahead of the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, highlighting the unexpected and intense heat as a significant challenge. The F1 driver, no stranger to Qatar, expressed his enthusiasm for being back, albeit under scorching conditions, and emphasised the physical demands the weekend would impose on all competitors.

Key Takeaways

• Pierre Gasly’s Love for Qatar: Despite the heartbreak of a lost World Cup, Gasly expressed a deep appreciation for Qatar and its sporting events, reflecting on the intense and emotionally charged football final he witnessed last year, which he described as "probably the most beautiful sporting event" he's attended.
• Engaging in Padel: Gasly, along with several other drivers, engaged in a spirited game of Padel, a sport gaining popularity among the pit lane, which not only served as a fun diversion but also as a valuable physical workout, especially considering the demanding conditions expected during the race weekend.
• Bracing for the Heat: The intense 33°C heat became an unexpected adversary, prompting Gasly to acclimatise his body to the soaring temperatures, which he acknowledged were surprisingly warmer than anticipated, thereby utilising early exercise as a strategy to prepare for the physically taxing weekend ahead.

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Pierre Gasly reminisced about his previous visit to Qatar during the World Cup final, a memory that, despite its bitter end, still resonates with him as a spectacular sporting spectacle. His love for the country was palpable, even as he jestingly accused the interviewer of "turning the knife inside" by bringing up the painful loss.

"You’re turning the knife inside right now! No, I must say, it was an incredible sporting evening – probably the most beautiful sporting event I’ve been to.

"It was such an intense game. A World Cup at stake, ups and downs throughout the whole game. I really believed at some point we were going to get it – and unfortunately it didn’t come our way in the end.

"But no, it was a great time in Qatar and I’m definitely happy to be back," Gasly lamented, yet his spirits remained undampened, expressing genuine happiness to be back in Qatar.

The atmosphere in the pit lane has been abuzz not just with the usual racing fervour, but also with a growing penchant for Padel, a sport that has seemingly captivated the drivers this weekend around. Gasly, not immune to its allure, recounted his enjoyable experiences on the court, which also doubled as a beneficial workout session.

"Well, we had our neighbour, Nico was playing on the courts next to us. There was quite a few drivers actually. Singapore as well, there were quite a few drivers to play.

"So yeah, we decided to go for a game, which turned out to be pretty good for me. Nice wins. And that was definitely good fun. And also, just to get some time out, getting some workouts.

"And yeah, definitely, it's going to be tough physically this weekend. So I think in the end, I ended up spending two and a half hours on the court. I loved it so much. So it was a good exercise," he commented, reflecting on the games, while also noting the importance of such physical activities in preparation for the gruelling race weekend ahead.

However, the looming challenge that seemed to permeate Gasly's and likely other drivers' preparations was the unrelenting Qatari heat. A sizzling 33°C welcomed the drivers, prompting them to seek early acclimatisation to the intense conditions.

"Yeah, exactly. I mean, just want to get the body used to the temperature. So it’s very intense and probably didn't expect it to be as warm as it is, so it was good to get some early exercise in," he noted, highlighting the unexpected yet crucial obstacle the heat presented.

As we ready ourselves for Max Verstappen's likely championship win this weekend, the drivers, fortified by their various preparations, will take to the track, battling not just each other, but also the searing Qatari heat, in a race that promises to be as physically demanding as it is competitive.