David Thompson, Human Performance Manager for BWT Alpine Formula One Team, reveals the techniques the team uses to mitigate the effects of racing in Singapore’s extreme conditions.

Located close to the equator, Singapore is known for its relentlessly hot and humid climate. With daily temperatures often exceeding 30°C and a muggy, stifling atmosphere, even light physical exercise can quickly take its toll on an athlete’s performance.

Add to that the heat radiating from a Formula One car, and the challenge from inside the cockpit intensifies. The Singapore Grand Prix is regarded as the most gruelling race of the year, with drivers facing not only the physical strain of extreme heat but also the risk of dehydration - which can severely affect performance.

An athlete’s body temperature needs to be carefully regulated to limit the impact of heat, but for an F1 driver the problem is compounded by their clothing: fireproof underwear, race suit, gloves and a fully visored helmet all disrupt the body’s primary cooling mechanism - sweat evaporation. Combined with the heat from the engine and radiators, the air temperature inside the cockpit can climb to a sweltering 50–60°C.

For our drivers, Pierre and Franco, racing in these conditions dramatically increases energy expenditure, cardiac output and strain on their cardiovascular system, with knock-on effects to both physical and cognitive function.

Without the ability to cool down, heat accumulation can result in severe dehydration, triggering physical stress responses such as headaches and dizziness. And just a 2% loss of body weight due to dehydration can cause profound fatigue, confusion and a marked decline in performance.

In this pressure-cooker environment, David Thompson, Human Performance Manager for BWT Alpine Formula One Team, reveals the techniques the team uses to mitigate the effects of racing in Singapore’s extreme conditions. These include a demanding training regime to acclimatise the drivers, hydration strategies to reduce fluid loss, and a suite of Partner Products that play a vital role in helping everyone perform at their peak during the race weekend.

The coolest team in Formula One

Preparing drivers for the demands of Singapore’s iconic night race begins at least three weeks before the event with acclimatisation training taking place in a heat chamber. Here, the driver exercises on a static cycle while detailed measurements of weight and body temperature are recorded, in addition, urine and saliva samples are taken before and after each workout. This data allows the team to prescribe a hydration strategy tailored to each driver’s individual needs.

On arrival in Singapore, the team sets up Lumi ice baths, which Pierre and Franco use before and after sessions. These portable chillers maintain a constant temperature, eliminating the need for bags of ice, which can cause the water temperature to fluctuate.

“We administer whole-body cooling with Lumi ice baths, which aids pre-race preparation by stimulating cognitive function,” says David. “Post-race, it immediately supports recovery by limiting inflammation, reducing muscle soreness and bringing the heart rate back to baseline levels.”

The team also makes use of Hytro BFR garments, as studies suggest that blood flow restriction (BFR) can enhance endurance by increasing muscle oxidative capacity during acclimation. It can also speed up recovery by removing metabolic byproducts and inflammation, boosting the production of hormones and restoring blood flow and nutrients to fatigued muscles.

“We also use YuYu scarves to provide localised cooling, giving the driver a refreshing sensation just before climbing into the car and immediately after a session or race,” David adds. “This is paired with a chilled hydration mix to replenish fluids and electrolytes lost during on-track running.”

“Drivers have access to a drinks system, but after a few laps it becomes very warm due to the high temperatures in the cockpit and by the end of the race can be almost boiling hot,” David continues. “That’s why it’s crucial to cool them as much as possible before they’re strapped into the car and as soon as they get out, using a YuYu ice scarf and Lumi ice bath to minimise the effects of heat accumulation and bring their core temperature down.”

Reducing the impact of jet lag

When it first appeared on the calendar in 2008, Singapore was known as Formula 1’s original Night Race. While several events now take place after sunset, the Grand Prix around Marina Bay retains its unique status with teams and drivers staying awake in the hours of darkness.

It can take up to a week for the body to fully adjust to a seven-hour time zone shift, so to avoid jet lag, drivers and teams adopt an unusual approach: they stay on European time for the entire weekend.

“Despite functioning at night, local environment cues such as exposure to light and meal times are all out of sync,” explains David. “This can fragment sleep, reduce recovery and impair performance - all of which are unacceptable in the high-pressure environment we face.”

Throughout the 2025 season, BWT Alpine Formula One Team has partnered with HMN24, a company using a science-driven approach to synchronising performance potential with the body’s natural rhythms. HMN24 products have been integrated into the team’s sleep and travel routines to minimise the disruptive effects of time zone shifts.

The three key products are:

● RISE - a morning formula that combines hydration, natural caffeine and cognitive nutrients to support natural waking, alertness and hydration status.

● FLOW - a midday nootropic designed to support dopamine balance, cognitive endurance and sustained focus. At Singapore, where sessions and operations take place late at night, FLOW is vital for maintaining concentration during extended wake periods when the body would normally expect to be asleep.

● PRE-SLEEP - a comprehensive recovery formula taken 30 minutes before bed to aid the transition into deep, restorative sleep. For Singapore, where team members may not go to bed until 4–5 a.m. local time, PRE-SLEEP helps protect both sleep onset and sleep quality despite the unusual schedule.

“In high-performance environments such as Formula One, marginal gains in focus, reaction time and recovery can define the outcome of a race,” says David. “HMN24 provides us with the tools we need to approach one of the toughest races on the calendar with confidence, ensuring our team is physically prepared and biologically synchronised to perform at its best.”

Whether it’s managing the impact of a seven-hour time shift, or coping with the extreme heat and humidity, the Singapore Grand Prix remains one of the most challenging events of the year for both team personnel and drivers.

Thanks to the work of Human Performance Manager David Thompson, BWT Alpine Formula One Team is ready to meet those challenges head-on and compete at the very highest level.