Feature
‘It’s an extra level’ - Block and Crone on how they optimise their training to beat the heat in Singapore
Recognised as one of the most physically demanding venues in motorsport, Round 6’s visit to Singapore will see the drivers face their most intense test of the season.
With its combination of unrelenting twists and turns and soaring temperatures and humidity, we caught up Williams’ Lia Block and Haas’ Courtney Crone as the ART Grand Prix teammates explained how they’re optimising their training for the Singapore heat.
Whilst Crone prepares for her first visit to the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Block is already well-acquainted with what to expect and has learnt vital lessons from last year’s experience. Although the penultimate round doesn’t take place until the start of October, both insist that preparations have to begin well in advance alongside focusing on the earlier rounds.
“I have never been to Singapore, but obviously I predict it’s going to be pretty similar to how Jeddah was this year,” said Crone. “Living in the desert in Southern California, it’s quite hot where I live, so I’ve already been doing my training throughout the summer break.”
Block continued: “As early as possible you need to start thinking about it. At least a couple months out you’re just starting to slowly ramp up the heat training sessions and everything for me was the best last year. It worked out pretty well, so be overprepared. I think that’s the best rather than being underprepared.
“Nothing can really prepare you for being in that heat all the time. We’re there for a week, walking back-and-forth from the track and getting in the car. It’s an extra level of heat when you are putting your fire protective suit and helmet on, getting in a car and sitting there waiting for the race to start — that’s the worst part! It’s mentally preparing yourself this time, just knowing what you’re going to step into when you get off that plane.”
Block continued: “You got to get ready for the humidity, that’s the worst part! I can do dry heat all day, but when you step out of the hotel and you’re soaked in sweat just because it’s so moist, that sucks.”
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With ambient temperatures in Singapore sitting around 30˚C combined with humidity hovering around 78%, it can feel as warm as 40˚C before the drivers have even climbed into the cockpit. As a result, managing sweat levels are a constant priority, requiring drivers to regularly replenish any lost electrolytes in order avoid dehydration. In addition, lowering core temperatures before they head out on track is critical, even if that means undertaking the least enjoyable, but most needed, cold plunge.
“The biggest thing for us last year with managing body temperatures and training is the cold plunge,” explained Block. “We used it before almost every session to get the core temperature down so it doesn’t raise as much when you’re in the car.
“That was super helpful, I’m so glad I had that last year. It’s something we’re going to carry into this year because I’m a baby with heat and cold plunges, I don’t like the drastic cold or hot. Straight from when you wake up, we’re having electrolytes and preparing your body throughout the day because you sweat so much.”
Crone added: “On any given weekend that it’s going to be excessively hot, we have the ice vest. Lia has a cold plunge, I don’t have a cold plunge. We try to hydrate as much as we possibly can regardless, but of course it’s excessively important when it’s humid especially because you’re sweating much more than when it’s dry heat. It changes a little bit, but it’s not huge drastic changes, little tweaks here and there when you’re getting in the car.”
The effects of the humidity are amplified by the demanding layout of the Marina Bay Street Circuit. With 19 corners stretched across 4.9km — only Jeddah has more this season — drivers’ concentration cannot waver as they dart up close to the barriers and navigate the bumps littered throughout.
Pushed to the limit lap after lap, Crone and Block acknowledge that whilst the discomfort of racing in these conditions can take its toll, they have to remain intently focused on the task at hand.
“The biggest physical part of the heat would be the sweating,” said Crone. “In Jeddah this year, I had sweat in my eyes as I was driving so that did not help. Physically, it’s much more the actual sweating itself and having to rehydrate with electrolytes. When you fatigue out physically, you usually fatigue out first mentally.
“Mentally, it’s just being able to stay sharp in our sessions, keeping yourself prepared and already ready to go in between the sessions. Once you get in the car, everything kind of melts away and the adrenaline kicks in. You kind of forget what’s happening in front of you and you just drive, but it’s in between sessions that it’s the most important to keep yourself mentally focused.”
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Block added: “I remember Race 2 and at the end of it, I was getting very uncomfortable just from sweating, feeling my gloves get wet on the steering wheel. Near the end of the race I was like ‘when is this going to be done’ because it’s so uncomfortable in the suit and everything. I got it off as soon as I got out of the car, hung it up and hoped it would dry.”
“Trying to stay as cool as possible, that’s all I focused on last year,” concluded the Williams driver. “I hate getting out of the car on the grid because when I warm up and I’m getting in the car in the box that’s my routine. If I disrupt that routine by taking my helmet off, it just feels weird to me.”