Source:REUTERS/Edgar Su
[Saba Sports News] The Singapore F1 Grand Prix has concluded, but Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell both skipped the post-race media meeting, raising concerns among fans. In response, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff stated that both drivers had shown symptoms of overheating or similar conditions while racing in humid temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius and were on the “verge of heatstroke.” After examination by the team doctor, they were exempted from mandatory FIA interviews. Wolff pointed out that their absence from the media meeting was not due to unhappiness or frustration. However, ironically, all other 18 F1 drivers were fit enough to handle post-race media interviews. Some fans noted that 26-year-old Russell is regarded by seasoned F1 coaches as one of the fittest drivers on track and theoretically should not be on the “verge of heatstroke.” Last year at the Qatar F1 Grand Prix, several drivers struggled in hot weather, and Russell had mocked those drivers at that time for their poor fitness and advised them to train harder. Clearly, Mercedes intentionally prevented their drivers from participating in interviews.