What makes the Singapore Grand Prix one of the toughest races physically?

The Singapore Grand Prix is considered as the toughest race on the F1 schedule alongside the Qatar Grand Prix, posing a huge challenge to drivers. Esteban Ocon's Performance Coach Tom Clark reveals what makes the Singapore race even more challenging than similarly hot rounds such as the Hungarian Grand Prix.

With humidity close to 90% and track temperatures around 40C, Singapore’s race presents a unique challenge. The extremely high humidity means that drivers can lose 2-3kg in sweat alone. For taller drivers, it can be as much as 4kg, which equates to 3-4% of their bodyweight.

Staying hydrated can be a massive challenge for drivers at the Singapore Grand Prix, which is known for its heat and stifling humidity.

Explaining the physical challenges at the Marina Bay Circuit, Esteban Ocon's Performance Coach Tom Clark noted: “So driving in the heat, so in Singapore, it’s very hot and humid.

"The main difference for the drivers is generally there is more of a cardiovascular strain which means generally speaking the racing is about 10 to 20 per cent more intense and more difficult for them, with heart rates being higher and the general heat contributing to more loads and fatigue.

"Combines with the fact that this is a very long race typically, we reach the time limit here with two hours or close to it. The combination of the high heat, the street circuit which is very mentally challenging means this is one of the hardest circuits of the calendar.

"So we go to a lot of races where the dry heat is very high, so places like Budapest you might see 35 degrees or more. But here the big thing is or the big contributing factor is the humidity, which is a lot higher than most of the races that we go to.

"So it’s a combination of the dry heat and the humidity which really contribute to an increased sweat rate which makes this race so much more difficult than say other races," Clarck concluded.

Last Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix became the first ever race at the Marina Bay Circuit without a single safety car intervention. Asked how physical the Singapore Grand Prix was without any sorts of interruption that would have allowed drivers to recharge their batteries, McLaren driver Oscar Piastri noted that the most difficult part came after the chequered flag fell.

"It was a tough race, definitely. Not on the same level as what we had in Qatar last year, I would say, but to be honest, it almost gets harder when it gets lonely.

"Once I got past the Mercedes, Max was, I think, 20 seconds ahead, and I knew I was a lot quicker than the Mercedes, so the last 15 laps felt longer than the first 45. So yeah, it was a tough race, definitely. It always is here. But in some ways, having the air blowing in your face and stuff like that is almost quite nice.

"You know, the in-lap was actually probably... You know, when you stop concentrating so much and you don't have as much air in your face, it actually can feel worse. So definitely a tough evening, but that's what we're paid for," Piastri said.