Despite the heavy criticism of the 2023 F1 Qatar GP, which saw numerous Formula 1 (F1) drivers require medical assistance due to dehydration and heat-related illnesses, Formula 2 will make its debut in Qatar this weekend, supporting the Formula 1 Qatar GP. While forecasts predict, significantly lower temperatures this weekend, dusty conditions may remain a challenge for the F2 drivers, who, unlike many of their F1 counterparts, lack experience at the circuit. Furthermore, despite the FIA and Pirelli implementing measures to reduce the excessive tyre degradation seen during the 2023 Qatar GP, the teams expect tyre degradation to remain a major challenge.
“Tomorrow we’ll have a better understanding”
While speaking with the media, Van Amersfoort Racing’s Rafael Villagómez, stated that the drivers would need to wait until Friday’s practice session before finalising their preparations for the rest of the Qatar GP weekend. He claimed that was due to their limited knowledge about the track and the performance of the cars on it.
“Yeah, well, no one knows anything until now so no one has driven.”
“We’ve seen that it was quite a hard track on the tyres in F1. I think tomorrow we’ll have a better understanding of how it is with the F2 compound.”
He added that the teams would also need to use information gathered at previous tracks to aid their preparation for the event.
“Basically, you’re going to prepare much more [and] use the information you know from previous races from the season on how you can manage your tyres and the rest will be possible.”
Qatar GP expect to be “quite challenging”
DAMS Lucas Oil’s Jak Crawford also discussed his expectations for the Qatar GP. Crawford stated that he expected the track to be less dirty due to multiple series — F1, F2, F1 Academy and the Porsche Carrera Cup — running during the weekend, over last year when only F1 ran. He stated that he expected the increased use of the track to improve track conditions around the circuit. This, he claimed, could reduce tyre degradation.
“Yeah, and you know, from my side, obviously, having watched all the F1 stuff from last year, it’s quite challenging.”
“Obviously, the track was very dirty, only having one series on track. So I think as well with F1 Academy, Formula 2, and you know, I think there’s Porsche Cup here as well, the track will be a lot better than it was last year, a lot better condition which will help the tyre wear slightly.”
Crawford expects “quite a physical” Qatar GP race weekend
The American also recalled the physical toll of the Qatar race on the F1 drivers. He stated that he expected the race to be physically challenging for the F2 drivers, and admitted that he had been training to improve his tolerance to the expected conditions.
“And then, you know, also we thought they struggled physically a lot last year as well. The heat is a big standpoint both on the driver and the tyres.”
“So, you know, I’ve been training a lot on that side to get ready for that as I know it’s going to be quite a physical race in F2.”
“Tyre wear will be the biggest question”
Despite expecting a physically challenging weekend, Crawford stated that he believed that tyre wear would be the biggest concern for most teams, especially with their limited familiarity with the Losail International Circuit.
“So yeah, I think tyre wear will be the biggest question.”
“We’ll sort of get a feel for it through free practice and qualifying, which of the compounds are going to be more raceable. But yeah, it’ll be something we decide as we go basically.”
Long break between F2 races “not an issue”
When asked by Pit Debrief, the drivers also shared their thoughts on the almost month-and-a-half-long break between the last F2 race during the Azerbaijan GP and the upcoming Qatar race.
Crawford stated that while the break had felt long, he did not believe that it had affected his performance. He added, however, that he wished, “as every driver would,” that he could race more.
“Yeah, I think regarding the calendar, I think it is a bit long sometimes, and it can feel like a long time out of the car. But at the end of the day, for me at least, it doesn’t affect my performance on track.”
“I feel like I’m able to hop out of the car for two months and be on it straight away after a break. So in terms of that, that’s not an issue.”
“Of course, I wish we did race a bit more, as every driver would.”
“So yeah, it’s not an issue, but I wish we did more.”
These sentiments were echoed by Villagómez who stated that a more compact calendar, and subsequently a longer break between the seasons would allow for further reflection of previous performances, while a shorter break would increase the workload on the drivers.
“Same for me. I think, having a large break, yeah, it just gives you more time to look back at the previous round before a little bit more.”
“So in terms of performance, that’s pretty much the same.”
“And yeah, I think if we had a shorter break, it would only mean more work.”
