Drivers are super fit athletes, and thus the state of some of them when they met the media having walked straight from parc ferme told its own story.
Others were careful to quietly head back to their team hospitality buildings, catch their breath, change out of their soaking overalls and have a shower. They then returned to undertake media duties feeling a little more refreshed.
Two never made it. Logan Sargeant was forced to pull out of the race, while his team-mate Alex Albon also had to go the medical centre for treatment after climbing from his car. Both were later given the OK to head to the airport and fly home.
They were far from the only ones to suffer in what turned into the most physically punishing race in recent memory.
"That was the hardest fought points that I've ever had to fight for," said Ocon. "I was feeling ill, lap 15-16 I was throwing up for two laps inside the cockpit, and then I was like, 'Shit that's going to be a long race.'
"I tried to calm down, I tried to remember that the mental side in sport is the strongest part of your body, and I managed to get that under control and finish the race.
"But honestly, I was not expecting the race to be that hard. I can normally do two race distances, even in Singapore. Physically muscle-wise and cardio-wise I'm always fine.
"It was so hot that I wanted to open the visor on the straight line, because I had no air, and I was trying to also guide with my hand some air into the helmet.
"The more I was breathing to try and get everything lower, the more heat was coming inside the helmet. Honestly, it was hell in there."
Source: Autosport