- 02 Apr 10, 23:53#193898
Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point. 
The Star online:
The Formula One drivers are among the fittest humans on earth and it is certainly something when they rate the Malaysian GP as the toughest stop on the calendar.
It is not only hot and humid but there is also the possibility of the late afternoon thunderstorm to deal with.
Under hot conditions, drivers endure cockpit temperatures above 40°C and lose about 3kg in weight.
And Renault team doctor Riccardo Ceccarelli said that it was just as tough for the pit crew in their fireproof suits, boots and helmets.
“The biggest problem we have to worry about in Malaysia is overheating,” he said.
“We are not so worried about dehydration because when you sweat in such humid conditions, the sweat does not evaporate and it stays on your skin, which is why we always feel so damp and sweaty. But because the sweat does not evaporate, it causes the body temperature to rise. This leads to overheating and causes a big drop in concentration levels.”
So what do drivers do to keep their cool and avoid loss of performance on race day? Among the favourite solution is dry ice, which is stuffed in the drivers’ helmets, shoes and gloves.
“It may be a short-term fix but every degree of cooling counts,” said Ceccarelli.
“Good ventilation of the helmet is also important because keeping the head (and brain) cool is the priority.
“We also recommend a cold shower before they put the car on the grid. It’s also important to do some exercise as soon as they arrive while adjusting to the new environment.
“They also need to change their diet and eat light meals like fruits and vegetables because a heavy meal will require more digestion, which increases body temperature.
“The cockpit bottle drink also plays an important role in keeping the driver hydrated during the race.”
The Formula One drivers are among the fittest humans on earth and it is certainly something when they rate the Malaysian GP as the toughest stop on the calendar.
It is not only hot and humid but there is also the possibility of the late afternoon thunderstorm to deal with.
Under hot conditions, drivers endure cockpit temperatures above 40°C and lose about 3kg in weight.
And Renault team doctor Riccardo Ceccarelli said that it was just as tough for the pit crew in their fireproof suits, boots and helmets.
“The biggest problem we have to worry about in Malaysia is overheating,” he said.
“We are not so worried about dehydration because when you sweat in such humid conditions, the sweat does not evaporate and it stays on your skin, which is why we always feel so damp and sweaty. But because the sweat does not evaporate, it causes the body temperature to rise. This leads to overheating and causes a big drop in concentration levels.”
So what do drivers do to keep their cool and avoid loss of performance on race day? Among the favourite solution is dry ice, which is stuffed in the drivers’ helmets, shoes and gloves.
“It may be a short-term fix but every degree of cooling counts,” said Ceccarelli.
“Good ventilation of the helmet is also important because keeping the head (and brain) cool is the priority.
“We also recommend a cold shower before they put the car on the grid. It’s also important to do some exercise as soon as they arrive while adjusting to the new environment.
“They also need to change their diet and eat light meals like fruits and vegetables because a heavy meal will require more digestion, which increases body temperature.
“The cockpit bottle drink also plays an important role in keeping the driver hydrated during the race.”
Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point. 
Wear a skirt like cubehead instead!