Man and machine at the very limits

The extreme heat during the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend represents an extraordinary challenge for both the BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers and their cars. At the 'Sepang International Circuit', Nick and Jacques have to work in temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius.

In an average Grand Prix, the temperatures in the cockpit rise to around 50°C. In a race such as the Malaysian Grand Prix, however, which is held in tropical heat, the drivers have to cope with far higher temperatures. Therefore, Nick and Jacques will lose several kilograms of weight over the course of the second round of the 2006 season. "You sweat a lot here," explains Villeneuve. "Which means that you get dehydrated, so because of that, in the second half of the race you start losing a lot of your capacities."

Therefore, it's vital for the drivers to drink plenty. They merely have to press a button and a tube leading into their helmet provides them with the potion of their choice. Obviously, the drivers aren't the only ones who are extremely thirsty in these conditions. During a hot race such as the Malaysian Grand Prix, the BMW Sauber F1 Team and its guests consume about 3.300 liters of mineral water and soft drinks.

At the same time, the extreme conditions also represent an extraordinary challenge for the cars, and the engines in particular. "The heat means that the engines will be taken to their very limit, as far as temperature is concerned," explains BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. "Therefore, you have to take precautions on the car to prevent them from overheating." The most obvious precautions for the Malaysian GP are additional air intakes and outlets on the BMW Sauber F1.06.

http://www.f1technical.net/features/2132