A Hot Race at Spa-Francorchamps -- The CrowdStrike 24 Hours

 

Race in the heat at Spa-Francorchamps – How Maro Engel is Preparing for Extreme Conditions

• Temperatures of around 35°C are expected for the start of the 24-hour race
• "Three Questions for" Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver Maro Engel: "I expect to lose around two to two-and-a-half kilograms over the course of the race weekend."
• When the 78th edition of the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa gets underway today at 4:30 pm, ambient temperatures are expected to reach around 35°C. Mercedes-AMG Motorsport will field a total of eleven Mercedes-AMG GT3 cars across the PRO, BRONZE, SILVER and PRO-AM categories. Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver Maro Engel, who has represented the brand since 2008 and is contesting his eleventh 

 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps, can hardly recall another race weekend in which both drivers and machinery have faced such extreme heat. Together with the Mercedes-AMG Team MANN-FILTER, he is ready to take on this exceptional challenge. In our "Three Questions for" feature, the 40-year-old explains how drivers and teams prepare for these extraordinary conditions and why the high temperatures will have a significant impact not only on the drivers and the cars, but also on race strategy.

How do you prepare for such an exceptional race weekend, and how do you cope with the challenge?
Maro Engel: "In the build-up, I followed my normal fitness program, but to be honest, with the number of races I'm currently doing, there is hardly any better preparation – even for conditions like these. Before the race weekend and throughout the event, I've been paying particular attention to staying properly hydrated, making sure I drink plenty of fluids and take on enough electrolytes. If you don't, the amount of fluid you lose during each stint is enormous, and the risk of muscular tiredness and general physical exhaustion increases significantly. With ambient temperatures this high, cockpit temperatures rise dramatically. We use cooling vests, and I also soak my underwear before getting into the car. That helps the airflow into the cockpit cool my body more effectively. We also have a physiotherapist in the team who does an outstanding job. He looks after all the basics and is waiting by the car after every stint with a bottle of water and a cold, wet towel. Beyond that, I try to stay in the shade whenever possible or spend time in air-conditioned rooms."

How does the extreme heat affect the drivers, the car and the race strategy?
Maro Engel: "We don't actually have a huge amount of experience with temperatures like these during the Spa 24 Hours. This is certainly one of the hottest race weekends I can remember here. Back in 2006, during the British Formula 3 season, we had a race weekend with temperatures of around 40°C, so we're still slightly below that. It was also extremely hot in the lead-up to the race here in Spa in 2019, although temperatures dropped again by race day. Naturally, the heat can influence our strategy. It's quite possible that we'll switch to shorter stints at short notice to reduce the physical strain on the driver. As soon as dehydration or reduced concentration becomes a factor, we have to react. The heat also presents technical challenges. The team has to ensure that the engine and brakes remain as cool as possible at all times. In addition, these temperatures change the character of the circuit. Grip levels decrease significantly, meaning the asphalt offers noticeably less traction."

What impact does such an extreme race weekend have on recovery and the races that follow?
Maro Engel: "If I manage to stay disciplined with my hydration throughout the weekend, I expect to lose around two to two-and-a-half kilograms over the course of the event. Looking ahead to the coming weeks – and in particular the upcoming DTM weekend at the Norisring – recovery will become my number one priority from Monday onwards. Plenty of sleep, a balanced diet, staying well hydrated and giving my body as much rest as possible will all be essential to ensure I'm fully prepared for the next race weekend."