F1 Q&A: Hamilton, Ferrari, Russell, Verstappen, Cadillac and effects of jet-lag on drivers

How do F1 drivers get over jet-lag? It’s not easy flying across time zones, yet they’re constantly travelling. Are they just used to it? – Dave

F1 drivers are elite-level athletes with incredible skill, but they are still human beings, and they get affected by jet-lag like everyone else.

So, in Las Vegas, for example, Carlos Sainz said this about the massive time-zone shift between there and Qatar: “It is down to the fitness that you’ve accumulated during the first part of the year and keeping yourself fit and healthy.

“It will be quite a shock to the body, but If you’re fit, you’re healthy, and you’ve managed to keep yourself warm here, don’t get any colds, take melatonin whenever you have to take melatonin, and go to sleep whenever you have to go to sleep, it should get it done.”

George Russell added: “There’s not really anything you can do in these days. Preparation needed to happen beforehand. And it’s going to be a challenge for everyone, but we’re all in the same boat.

“So no one’s going to be on peak condition personally, but it’s just about limiting the losses.”

Melatonin, by the way, is a hormone you can take that promotes sleep. It’s available by prescription in the UK and over the counter in the US.