Ocon was 'throwing up' 16 laps into gruelling Qatar GP

Esteban Ocon has revealed that he was "throwing up" inside his helmet 16 laps into the gruelling Qatar Grand Prix.

Although the heat only reached a maximum of 33°c, the humidity was high for the drivers in the cockpit, which coupled with the high g-forces and flat-out nature of the race, meant it was a physical Grand Prix.

Williams' Logan Sargeant had to retire from the race after suffering from dehydration, while several other drivers had to visit the medical centre after the race due to the extreme conditions.

Lance Stroll even admitted to losing consciousness at times during the 57-lap race, with Ocon detailing being sick at the wheel as he came home to a seventh-place finish.

Ocon wants Alpine investigation

"That was the hardest fought points that I've ever had," Ocon explained to media including RacingNews365.

"I was feeling ill around Lap 16, then I was throwing up for two laps inside the cockpit.

"Then I was like: 'S**t, that's going to be a long, long race.

"I tried to calm down, I tried to remember the mental side of sport is the strongest part of your body, and managed to get that under control and finish the race."

Ocon felt the conditions were exacerbated by the poor heat management in the Alpine A523 cockpit, which he wants the team to investigate.

"I was not expecting for the race to be that hard, like I normally do two race distances even in Singapore, and physically muscle and cardio-wise I'm always fine," explained Ocon.

"I don't think we probably do the best job in terms of not keeping the heat in the back and dissipating it inside the cockpit. I think that was the reason for [the excessive] heat."