Dakar Racing News: Ferrari Driver Hospitalized Due to Weight Loss Struggle
In a revealing disclosure, Ferrari driver James Calado has shared that he was hospitalized with malnutrition during the early stages of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season. The Briton’s efforts to shed weight in order to overcome the performance disadvantage posed by the Hypercar category’s regulations, which do not factor in the driver’s weight in the car’s minimum weight, led to this concerning incident.
“I was sick this year because I lost so much weight – I went to hospital after Qatar with malnutrition,” Calado explained. “I was on medication because I was running and not eating, trying so hard to lose weight. It’s too dangerous for me to go down to the weight I want.”
Calado, who weighs around 70 kilograms, highlighted the significant impact of the weight discrepancy, stating that it could result in a performance disadvantage of up to half a second per lap on a regular circuit compared to a driver who is 20 kilograms lighter.
“I would love to be able to qualify, but I’m too heavy,” he said. “I would love something to make it more equal like karting or in other championships.”
This issue has raised concerns among manufacturers, with BMW M Motorsport boss Andreas Roos revealing that he has discussed the matter with the FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, the joint organizers of the WEC. Roos emphasized the need for a compensation system for driver weight, stating, “We shouldn’t get to a situation where the manufacturers are looking for the lightest drivers; there should be a situation where every driver can be competitive.”
The ACO’s technical director, Thierry Bouvet, acknowledged that the idea is being discussed, but stressed that no decision has been made. However, a similar rule was introduced in the LMP1 category in 2015, which aimed to equalize the cars across the grid by requiring cars with lighter driver combinations to carry additional ballast.
As the sport continues to evolve, the FIA and the organizers of the WEC are actively exploring ways to address the weight-related challenges faced by drivers like Calado, ensuring a more level playing field and prioritizing both performance and the well-being of the participants.
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