Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport, is a highly popular and intense race that takes place all over the world. It involves a thrilling battle between skilled drivers and teams, each with finely engineered vehicles.
Despite the impressive speeds and engineering of Formula 1 cars, race car drivers have long struggled with the stereotype that they are not true athletes. However, with the recent rise in popularity of television series such as Drive to Survive, the public is gaining a better understanding of the physical and mental demands of driving in Formula 1.
Driving a Formula 1 car requires split-second decision making and precision steering while traveling at speeds of up to
As technology has advanced, so too have the skills of the drivers. Nowadays, Formula 1 drivers are considered elite athletes who must undergo extensive training to cope with the ever-increasing demands of their machines and the environment.
During a typical race, drivers face a barrage of physical and psychological challenges that test their strength, endurance, and mental fortitude at high speeds. They must have sufficient strength to perform and stabilize their bodies to withstand gravitational forces (G-force) in multiple directions.
Cornering and braking can subject drivers to G-forces upwards of 5Gs, and each time they apply the brake pedal, they must exert between 600-700 newtons of force. This adds up to a total load of 57,940kg during a 90-minute race (based on the 14 turns and 58 laps of Melbourne's Albert Park track). In the event of a crash, drivers can experience deceleration forces of up to 100Gs, which puts immense strain on their head and neck.
The forces experienced by Formula 1 drivers are comparable to those of military pilots, often resulting in neck and back pain or a loss of peripheral vision (known as "gray-out") when endured for an extended period. To combat these effects, drivers train their trunk and neck strength against high loads to counteract the forces pulling their head and neck around the cockpit. They also train their aerobic capacity to handle the demands of racing, resulting in high heart rates and physiological stress.
Aside from the physical demands, drivers also face extreme temperatures inside the car, with cabin temperatures sometimes exceeding
To prepare for these demands, F1 drivers maintain low body-fat percentages (around
Given the demanding F1 racing calendar, drivers must train efficiently to improve their strength, power, and fitness. They also need to maintain a balanced diet to maintain their weight and optimal body composition, as becoming too heavy or large can hinder their performance in the limited space of the cockpit.
Of course, racing at speeds of over
In conclusion, Formula 1 is not only about having a fast car and being physically fit enough to control it. It also requires a unique set of skills and a deep devotion to the art of driving if one wants to make it as an elite driver in the top tier of motorsport.