Importance of Fitness in Motorsports Drivers

Most people do not consider motorsports as real sports, and fitness is the last thing that comes to mind. But F1 drivers are one of the fittest sports people as they worked out for months in preparation. Being healthy is the demand for racing sports vehicles owing to the speed, conditions within the car, and length of each race.  

The conditions within the car are the motivating factors that push drivers to be fit. A driver spends 90 minutes in the sports car (it's not like sitting in a regular car) and has to withstand the G-force of more than five times the force of gravity. The heat within the vehicle is 50 degree Celsius, and the driver loses up to 5kgs of water because of intense heat; they have to apply 80 kgs of force to the pedals, communicate with their team, and maintain muscle strength. All these conditions require the driver to be mentally and physically strong. 

One must reach a certain level of fitness and maintain it throughout the racing career. 

Muscle Strength

Strength training is very crucial for F1 drives. They must keep the bodies upright, operate pedals, and hold and turn steering wheels without going out from the G-Force. The Head weighs up to 25kgs or more because of G-Force; therefore, the strength of the shoulder, chest, and neck is crucial. F1 drivers focus more on strength training for these areas that help withstand the race's force.

G-Force is strong enough to damage internal organs and break ribs; therefore, the rest of the body requires strong muscles too to handle G-Force. Cardio and Strength workouts are regular routines for F1 drivers that help build vital muscles. 

Cardiovascular System

The resting heart rate of an average person is around 60-100bpm. F1 drivers significantly strain the cardiovascular system; their heart rate can increase up to 160-200bpm during the race.

Therefore, cardio is essential to a workout, including interval training that strengthens the heart. F1 drivers are so fit that they have resting heart rates at around 40bpm.

Weight Management

Every car is designed keeping minor details with particular height, width, and weight to maximize the airflow and aerodynamics. The engine, suspension, and bakes are of superior quality. Everything is made with utmost care and perfection. Therefore, to meet the high standard of F1 cars, the drivers must be the fittest. They must maintain a particular body weight that ensures the car performs the best it can. Even a gain of 1 kg of weight affects the car's performance and slows it down. To meet the high-performance level of an F1 car, the drivers have to stick to a strict fitness regime. 

Takeaway

F1 drivers are classified as the most appropriate sportspeople in the world. Every F1 driver has to stay healthy and fit to deliver their best performance. Being physically fit is necessary for their career to last long. Their workout is designed in such a way to keep them healthy and safe that lets them perform to near perfection.

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