The Singapore Grand Prix has long been regarded as the toughest race on the F1 calendar, with drivers undergoing extensive physical training to prepare ahead of the weekend. However, many drivers now argue that the Qatar Grand Prix has taken the title from Singapore in terms of physical difficulty.

Williams driver Alex Albon, who raced in Singapore in 2022 just weeks after his surgery, is among those who believe Qatar has become the hardest race. He highlights the heat and strain, noting that despite the challenges in Singapore, Qatar’s conditions, in his opinion, are now more physically demanding. Mercedes driver George Russell agrees, calling Qatar the most physically difficult race on the F1 calendar.

Both races pose significant physical challenges, but for different reasons. Qatar’s race takes place in extreme heat, causing drivers to suffer headaches, dizziness, and other heat-related issues. In contrast, while Singapore’s race is slightly cooler, the higher humidity makes it harder for drivers to cool down as their sweat evaporates more slowly.

Each race presents distinct demands on the human body. Singapore’s street circuit requires high concentration to avoid walls, while Qatar’s high-speed corners subject drivers to significant G-forces. Russell explained that in Qatar, the high-speed, high-downforce layout puts an extreme strain on the body, particularly in fast corners where drivers experience up to 5G.

In terms of race length, Singapore has typically pushed the two-hour race limit, while Qatar’s events have been shorter. This adds to Singapore’s endurance challenge, but Qatar’s nature keeps drivers under constant physical pressure.

Looking ahead, changes are coming for Qatar in 2024. The race will move to a cooler time of year, and softer tyres may reduce the intensity of tyre management. Despite this, both Singapore and Qatar remain the most physically demanding races on the F1 calendar, with drivers like Albon acknowledging that they train specifically for these extreme conditions.