MEDICAL CARE AT THE SÃO PAULO FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX
The medical team from the Sancta Maggiore hospital, part of the Prevent Senior group, conducted on Saturday, November 1, at the Interlagos Circuit, the final rehearsal for next weekend’s race. For the eighth time, Dr. Gabriela Santos Feliciano played the role of an injured driver on the track and was transported by helicopter to the Dubai unit of the hospital responsible for the event.
In practice, the doctor was placed in an official cockpit provided by the International Automobile Federation and then went through the extraction and removal process by ambulance and helicopter.
The choice of a doctor for the simulation aims mainly to ensure more accurate feedback after the operation. “Every year, there’s always a small adjustment. But everything has been going very well,” says the physician, who specializes in pre-hospital care and is already experienced in this type of work.
Interlagos is a safe circuit, recalls race director Felippe Biazzi, who followed the entire operation. The last accident that required the transport of a driver to the hospital occurred in 2003, involving Fernando Alonso, on the climb to the pit lane.
The Medical Director of the São Paulo F1 GP, Dr. Dino Altmann, the ‘rescue chief’ Marcos Cunha from Sancta Maggiore, and the Deputy Medical Director, Pedro Rosolen, led the medical simulation. During the free practice sessions, qualifying, sprint race, and the São Paulo GP, on November 7, 8, and 9, medical care at Interlagos will include 33 doctors, 18 paramedics, and 25 nurses. At the same time, doctors will be on standby at the Sancta Maggiore Dubai and Itaim units.
“The team is increasingly synchronized. Everyone knows their role well. We are well-prepared,” says Dr. Marcos Cunha.
The possibility of rain is also part of the medical protocol. If an accident occurs under conditions that prevent the helicopter from taking off, transport will be carried out by ambulance escorted by outriders.
This was the last medical simulation involving removable seats from F1 cars. Starting next year, the FIA will adopt a suggestion from Dr. Dino Altmann, eliminating removable seats since they have different standards. “We are already ready for the new driver extraction format,” explains Altmann, who has been the Medical Director of the São Paulo F1 GP since 2001.
The Formula 1 MSC Cruises São Paulo Grand Prix 2025 takes place on November 7, 8, and 9 at the Interlagos Circuit. All tickets for the race are sold out. Tickets are still available for the Fanzone, at the Interlagos kart track, which includes live race screening on a high-definition big screen. For more information about the Fanzone, visit grandepremiosp.f1saopaulo.com.br/fanzone. Tickets for the Fanzone are available at eventim.com.br/f1saopaulo.
About the F1 São Paulo GP
The F1 São Paulo GP is the main recurring event on the Brazilian sports calendar. As one of the stages of the World Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship, it takes place annually at the Interlagos Circuit in São Paulo. The last edition gathered an audience of 291.7 thousand people over the three days and injected more than R$1.96 billion into the local economy, in addition to generating around 20,000 jobs. Broadcast live to over 180 countries, it provides US$447.3 million in media return for the city of São Paulo. In addition to delivering high-quality entertainment, the F1 São Paulo GP offers its partners a powerful platform for brand promotion and relationship building. Fully aligned with F1 guidelines, the São Paulo GP acts as a promoter of environmental sustainability, respect for diversity, and social inclusion.
More information for the press:
F1 São Paulo GP
Castilho de Andrade / Marília Frias
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