The excessive heat and flat-out nature of the race at Losail on Sunday left drivers facing one of the biggest challenges of their careers, which they described as "hell" and "torture".
Logan Sargeant had to retire with heatstroke, Esteban Ocon was sick in his helmet, Lance Stroll said he passed out several times and other racers struggled to make it to the chequered flag before needing to go to the medical centre.
Lando Norris reckoned that the way the event had played out was right on the edge – as he made clear he did not think it had been safe.
“It's never a nice situation to be in, some people ending up in the medical centre or passing out, and things like that. So, a pretty dangerous thing to have going on.
“But it's not a point where you can just go, the drivers need to train more or do any of that. We're in a closed car that gets extremely hot in a very physical race. And it's frustrating.
“I guess on TV, it probably doesn't look very physical at all, but clearly, when you have people who end up retiring or in such a bad state, it's too much, you know, for the speeds we're doing. It is too dangerous.”
In response to the events, motor racing’s governing body has promised to open a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Qatar GP – as it made clear drivers should not be expected to compete in such conditions.
Source: Autosport