56 replies to this topic

[f1paddocks]

This might be something everyone knows already, but how do you take a leak during an grand prix?

Are there special pipes?
Do they just do it in there jump suit ?
Do they train not to need it?
Do they sweat it out?

I'm out of options. But I tell you one thing, I would be a bit embarrassed collecting a trophy with wet smelly pants

[OfficeLinebacker]

Do they just do it in there jump suit ?

This. And the pants are not wet and smelly, they hyper hydrate during the race and the urine is almost clear IF there is any.

It's not as common in F1 I'm sure because the races are shorter but in NASCAR they just do it in the seat, it's an accepted, but not much talked about, part of racing, like how riders do it in the TdF.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Given how dehydrated they are at the end of races I imagine it's rare they're so overhydrated mid-race that they need to pee.

[Bonaventura]

There was an interview with Lewis & Button last year with an very nice young TV Lady
(I forgot her name, but I think she is wellknown in GB)
It was the interview where Lewis should make the sound of a "mean duck" ( does sombody have a link?)
Where she askes them questions from viewers, among others Lewis what he does when he needs to pee during a race
He gave a very nice explanation and answer , to this question
He was never in this sotuation, but he goes as late as possible before every race, and he concentrates so much on his fluids balance before racing , that this is the reason (among others) he gives no interviews short before the start of the races
He was in this situation at practising, but there you can stop the session and return to the pits

Edited by Bonaventura, 13 August 2011 - 14:21.

[Hole]

Given how dehydrated they are at the end of races I imagine it's rare they're so overhydrated mid-race that they need to pee.

Exactly.

I think not many people here played intensive sports

Even if you are overhydrated, when you play intensive sports most of the water at disposal in your body is used for sweating (which is somehow similar to "peeing" as you also eliminate crap and stuff from your blood) so it's very very odd to feel you need to go to the toilet when you are in the middle of an intensive exercise.

Edited by Hole, 13 August 2011 - 14:28.

[ClockworkRacing]

There was an interview with Lewis & Button last year with an very nice young TV Lady
(I forgot her name, but I think she is wellknown in GB)
It was the interview where Lewis should make the sound of a "mean duck" ( does sombody have a link?)
Where she askes them questions from viewers, among others Lewis what he does when he needs to pee during a race
He gave a very nice explanation and answer , to this question
He was never in this sotuation, but he goes as late as possible before every race, and he concentrates so much on his fluids balance before racing , that this is the reason (among others) he gives no interviews short before the start of the races
He was in this situation at practising, but there you can stop the session and return to the pits

Interesting.
Massa once told the Brazilian tv that he pees on his car,and most times in the middle of the race

[Bonaventura]

Interesting.
Massa once told the Brazilian tv that he pees on his car,and most times in the middle of the race

Really?
Lewis said he tried it once ( at long stint during testing) but he couldn't

Heidfels and Schumacher (if I remember it right ) said, they did it

[condor]

I can recall pictures of Montoya with a 'wet bottom' after a race - I think if it happens, then it happens
Pit stops are only a few seconds now - not enough time to nip off and go to the loo.
Though they should be able to hold it in for a couple of hours

[AMG FAN]

as already been said,most of the time they don't really have to because they all usually go for a toilet break before the race starts and they sweat alot during the race too...they do actually race for what? one and half hours?(not even) so if you go pee before the race then you should be able to not feel the need to go again for another couple of hours.

[johnmhinds]

A lot of drivers have said they've done it during races, which to me seems rather bizarre as they all go to the bathroom before the race start.
We you've got to go you just do it I guess...

There was also the time when Webber was sick in his helmet during a race at Fuji I believe it was...
Edit:

Edited by johnmhinds, 13 August 2011 - 14:51.

[Amphicar]

Nelson Piquet Sr was reputed to urinate in his race suit while sitting in the car in the pits during testing - or is that just an urban myth put about by Nigel Mansell?

[MightyMoose]

Nelson Piquet Sr was reputed to urinate in his race suit while sitting in the car in the pits during testing - or is that just an urban myth put about by Nigel Mansell?

I very much doubt Mansell was the source for that. I recall a story from a mechanic that goes along the lines of "Brabham had to make a new monocoque because Piquet's piss had rotted out the previous one..."

[Andy865]

A lot of drivers have said they've done it during races, which to me seems rather bizarre as they all go to the bathroom before the race start.
We you've got to go you just do it I guess...

There was also the time when Webber was sick in his helmet during a race at Fuji I believe it was...
Edit:

[Rich]

I always get a bit concerned when I see an engineer or team manager hoisting a winning driver onto their shoulders after the race. I have to wonder if "nappy rash neck" is a common condition in F1 circles.

[Vitesse2]

Nelson Piquet Sr was reputed to urinate in his race suit while sitting in the car in the pits during testing - or is that just an urban myth put about by Nigel Mansell?

I do recall a story about a "mystery fluid" being spotted on a garage floor under a Williams when the mechanics arrived one morning. It turned out neither the car nor its driver was responsible - but his team-mate was. Apparently the mechanics had spent some time trying to identify where the leak came from ...

[Vitesse2]

There's also this story by Eoin Young about sports car driver Eddie Hall (and I'd guess even today sports car cockpits might be rather damp places!), quoted on TNF a while back:

At Le Mans in 1950 he refused to get out of the car during pit stops even though his co-driver was suited and booted and ready to take over. Jenks was curious to know about Eddie's toilet arrangements if he never left the cockpit for 24 hours (he finished 8th as the only driver ever to complete Le Mans single-handed). Eddie beamed at Jenks. "Green overalls, old boy!"

[saberskunk]

HTC Android phone, BBC iPlayer app, never miss a moment on a pee break.

[Fastcake]

HTC Android phone, BBC iPlayer app, never miss a moment on a pee break.

I think you've misread the thread....


I'm sure they've all gone once or twice during a race, but as it is only up to 2 hours, and the amount of water drivers use up, especially in the desert, it's not really a common enough occurrence for it to be any more fancy than going in the suit.

[Kraken]

It's really common in endurance racing where the double and triple stints are done.

It's really dangerous to crash with a full bladder so I wouldn't expect any serious driver to drive that way.

[eoin]

Given how dehydrated they are at the end of races I imagine it's rare they're so overhydrated mid-race that they need to pee.

A lot of it is probably down to nerves. Driver's always seem to be either coming or going to the toilet during BBC's grid walks.

[Hole]

HTC Android phone, BBC iPlayer app, never miss a moment on a pee break.

I also thought eariler that the thread was going to be focused on the expectator point of view. And I was going to say that we have plenty of time for toilet sessions in my country as we get raped by TV commercials quite often.

Edited by Hole, 13 August 2011 - 18:31.

[pingu666]

on the dakar the crews aprently wear nappies

[johnap]

I'm assuming that the fireproof overalls contain all this urine as i've never seen drivers getting out of the car at Le Mans with massive stains on the front of their overalls...

[Prototype]

I remember when Johnny Herbert was with Stewart Grand Prix, his mechanics alarmed at seeing fluid coming from the car on the starting grid in Germany...not to worry thou, just Johnny relieving himself before the start of the GP!

During the 1971 Bathurst 500, Allan Moffat was interviewed by a TV crew at a pit stop - at the same time relieving himself into a bottle, now that's talent, peeing while talking to a national audience in a stinking hot race car!

Edited by Prototype, 14 August 2011 - 08:06.

[Lukin]

I know of a driver (V8) that does it a fair bit. After a race another driver said he needed to go but couldn't pee. Even during the Safety Car loosened his belts off and still nothing.

[bub]

They probably sweat out most liquid.

[smitten]

They probably sweat out most liquid.

Virtually no water is reabsorbed into the body from the bladder. If you have a full bladder, no amount of sweating is going to empty it; there is only one way for it to get out of the body!

[bub]

Virtually no water is reabsorbed into the body from the bladder. If you have a full bladder, no amount of sweating is going to empty it; there is only one way for it to get out of the body!

I mean they probably lose so much water through sweating that they don't need to pee.
Some drivers probably pee themselves. Some probably don't.

[karne]

There was also the time when Webber was sick in his helmet during a race at Fuji I believe it was...
Edit:

Well, that's slightly different. It was just a continuation of what had been happening since 3am.

...If he had got through the safety car period without a silly little boy crashing into him, he would have won that race. In the wet, sick...it would have been an amazing maiden victory. Vettel - breaking Webber fans' hearts since 2007...


I understand they usually just go in their suits. Trust me, when you're at speed, you actually can't hold it for two hours. At low-level clubman rallying like I do, I find I get really desperate leading up to each service, so I can't imagine how it would be at a high level. Since I'm a girl, I don't have the convenience of a tree!

[FTATRWeSaluteYou]

Well, that's slightly different. It was just a continuation of what had been happening since 3am.

...If he had got through the safety car period without a silly little boy crashing into him, he would have won that race. In the wet, sick...it would have been an amazing maiden victory. Vettel - breaking Webber fans' hearts since 2007...


I understand they usually just go in their suits. Trust me, when you're at speed, you actually can't hold it for two hours. At low-level clubman rallying like I do, I find I get really desperate leading up to each service, so I can't imagine how it would be at a high level. Since I'm a girl, I don't have the convenience of a tree!

That wasnt really Vettels fault, as everone found out later. Shame it was the end of a great drive from both of them.

Schumi always pisses in the race, But some dont. Its not that long a race that the need should come up.

[BenettonB192]

I sometimes wonder how the drivers manage their bowel movements. I can imagine with all the travelling, stress and different climate zones it's hard to maintain a daily routine. Do some of them make an enema on the morning of a race day?

[Richard T]

I am often in need for a wee just before a race (like on the grid) but i always sweat it out... Dont feel it at all afterwards

[pingu666]

Well, that's slightly different. It was just a continuation of what had been happening since 3am.

...If he had got through the safety car period without a silly little boy crashing into him, he would have won that race. In the wet, sick...it would have been an amazing maiden victory. Vettel - breaking Webber fans' hearts since 2007...


I understand they usually just go in their suits. Trust me, when you're at speed, you actually can't hold it for two hours. At low-level clubman rallying like I do, I find I get really desperate leading up to each service, so I can't imagine how it would be at a high level. Since I'm a girl, I don't have the convenience of a tree!

http://www.shewee.com/

[404KF2]

This. And the pants are not wet and smelly, they hyper hydrate during the race and the urine is almost clear IF there is any.

It's not as common in F1 I'm sure because the races are shorter but in NASCAR they just do it in the seat, it's an accepted, but not much talked about, part of racing, like how riders do it in the TdF.

Riders in the TdF stop at the side of the road, or whiz while riding, but never in the pants! LOL

[Nustang70]

I'm certain I've seen a memorably frank quote from Coulthard about crapping his suit. I can't find it, however.

[OfficeLinebacker]

Riders in the TdF stop at the side of the road, or whiz while riding, but never in the pants! LOL

I mean it's similar in how it's widely known but not talked about.

[Skinnyguy]

I mean it's similar in how it's widely known but not talked about.

How not?? It´s braodcasted worldwide, everyone knows, people involved in cycling and casual viewers.

[gm914]

I remember watching some Le Mans video, and the 2 drivers were talking to each other over the radio, as they often do after changing shifts.
Driver 1. "Did you pee in my seat? You peed in my seat! It's all wet..."
Driver 2. "Uhh, it was already wet when I got in..."

Those Le Mans cars must reek something awful after 24 hrs.

[Dilla]

I remember watching some Le Mans video, and the 2 drivers were talking to each other over the radio, as they often do after changing shifts.
Driver 1. "Did you pee in my seat? You peed in my seat! It's all wet..."
Driver 2. "Uhh, it was already wet when I got in..."

Those Le Mans cars must reek something awful after 24 hrs.

[OfficeLinebacker]

How not?? It´s braodcasted worldwide, everyone knows, people involved in cycling and casual viewers.

Wrong on casual viewers.

[Lotusseven]

I think it´s worse for the drivers in Dakar Rally. I´ve heard once on TV they have to **** in diapers when they drive.
Do a nice little package of it, and trow it out of the window to get rid of the **** smell.

[Skinnyguy]

Wrong on casual viewers.

-"Hey John, why are they doing standing there and what´s that weird liquid?"
-"Don´t know Earl... maybe they´re getting rid of that useless old hot water in their bottles to save some weight."

[karne]

That wasnt really Vettels fault, as everone found out later. Shame it was the end of a great drive from both of them.

Sorry for the OT, but must address this.

Hamilton was being a d!ck behind the safety car that day. This is true. However, it does not change the fact that it is the responsibility of the car behind to watch the car in front, not anything else. It was Mark's job to watch Hamilton and he did. It was Vettel's job to watch Mark and he didn't. The accident was 99% Vettel's fault (1% Hamilton) and ruined what would have been one of the most amazing maiden wins ever. End of story.

[wolviex]

Well, it doesn't seem to be a problem for a MotoGP Master:

[KirilVarbanov]

I can recall pictures of Montoya with a 'wet bottom' after a race - I think if it happens, then it happens
Pit stops are only a few seconds now - not enough time to nip off and go to the loo.
Though they should be able to hold it in for a couple of hours

Yeah, the pit stops have to be extended for a rest room visit, and this time should be removed afterwards from your total time LOL
Joking, but I would be feeling very bad to have a pee in my race suit, but they have to do it, sometimes, apparently.

[metz]

Keep in mind that the problem happens most often when the race is delayed for hours due to rain.
In which case everything is wet anyway and nobody would notice.

[OfficeLinebacker]

Keep in mind that the problem happens most often when the race is delayed for hours due to rain.
In which case everything is wet anyway and nobody would notice.

Yes, because during multiple hour rain delays, the drivers stay in their cars the whole time.

[metz]

For sure if on the grid. They may bring out the umbrellas.
In the pits, they obviously have a break.
During any wet race the drivers get soaked.

[TURU]

I think not many people here played intensive sports

Even if you are overhydrated, when you play intensive sports most of the water at disposal in your body is used for sweating (which is somehow similar to "peeing" as you also eliminate crap and stuff from your blood) so it's very very odd to feel you need to go to the toilet when you are in the middle of an intensive exercise.

This. Even when it's raining they don't get to feel it too much (maybe except for gloves and helmets).

Edited by TURU, 16 August 2011 - 19:49.

[f1paddocks]

So we are going with the fact that they pee themselves whenever they wish.

I feel sorry for the Santander Girls that line up down a thin corridor whilst the smelly F1 drivers walk past!