The polluted conditions are not expected to cause any disruption to the racing schedule this weekend, but an FIA spokesperson said that \u201cthere is a contingency in place\u201d if the haze worsens and there \u201cmay be some restrictions on outdoor activity\u201d, although those are unlikely to apply to\u00a0members of the paddock and would instead focus on \u201centertainment activities\u201d.<\/p>\n
The organisers of the Singapore night race said they will ensure the availability of N95 masks on\u00a0site if required and will \u201cwork closely with the relevant agencies\u201d to make any decisions regarding the race weekend if the haze causes \u201cvisibility, public health or operational issues\u201d.<\/p>\n
The polluted air will add another challenge for drivers racing around the Marina Bay Street Circuit, already regarded as one of the toughest events on the F1 calendar because of its high humidity and tight, twisting track.<\/p>\n
Members of the all-women the Power of Mama volunteer firefighting team spray water on to smouldering peatland in Mensubuk Lama, West Kalimantan. Indonesia has been battling fires for weeks. Photograph: Heribertus\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
Chris Carlsten, a professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia and an expert in the effects of air pollution on physiology, said prolonged exposure to the haze during the\u00a0race could affect drivers\u2019 cognitive performance.<\/p>\n
In one study, participants spent two hours in conditions with high levels of air pollution before completing a series of cognitive tests, including assessments of their reaction times. \u201cOur findings show that the pollution effect is similar to that of an alcoholic beverage,\u201d Carlsten said.<\/p>\n
The haze could also affect the drivers\u2019 pre-race preparations, said Chris Tyler, a reader in environmental physiology at the University of Roehampton who has worked with F1 drivers including Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz. Drivers often exercise outdoors to acclimatise to the Singapore heat in the run-up to the race, but Tyler warned that \u201cthese are the sorts of environments where prolonged\u00a0exposure to the pollution over a number of days could be somewhat detrimental\u201d.<\/p>\n
Lewis Hamilton received similar advice in 2019, when the Singapore Grand Prix was last held in hazy conditions. The seven-time world champion said he had been advised not to go running outside in the days leading up to the race. Carlsten said he would advise all drivers to wear masks if the air quality remains poor, allowing them to \u201ckeep their lungs clean\u201d before the race.<\/p>\n
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