After seeing the kinds of speeds driver were able to take through corners during the first pre-season test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Pirelli Motorsport Director Paul Hembery feels the 2017 cars may push drivers to the point of blacking out.
Hembery watched as drivers were able to drive turn three in Spain flat out, with G-Forces at five times that of gravity, and he feels that some tracks this could push drivers to the limit of exhaustion, with blacking out a distinct possibility.
The fitness levels of drivers has been widely spoken about during the off-season to counter the harder to drive 2017 machinery, but even with the extra work being done it could still be a huge challenge for them at certain races this year.
“It is quite shocking. Even now, you are talking 5G corners,” said Hembery to ESPN. “Maybe some clever doctors will tell us that we’re getting close to blackout point, I don’t know what it is.
“But certainly when I was looking at turn 3 it was quite impressive. I’m sure a normal human being wouldn’t be able to. It’s one of those fun fair rides isn’t it, where you arrive at 5G and makes you feel a bit queasy.
“It depends what circuit you are at. I would think a stint at Silverstone for 30, 40 laps is going to be pretty exhausting for a driver. Physically I think it’s going to be a huge challenge for the drivers. Of course they are all great athletes today, they do a lot of preparation.
“You think if we go three seconds quicker than what we’ve seen already, which is like three years’ development normally, that’s amazing performance.”
