Not everyone can take it. What do Formula 1 drivers go through?

It’s no secret that Formula 1 pilots always need to be in great shape and train every day for several hours. However, some people still think that racing cannot be called a sport in the literal sense of the word. It seems to people that there is no strong physical exertion in racing like in figure skating, wrestling or soccer. The stumbling block for skeptics remains the constant presence of the pilot in the car, which is more like a sitting rest, rather than a difficult task. Well, it is possible and necessary to argue with it. After all, racing along the Moscow Ring Road at a speed of 100 km/h is not equal to piloting a bolide. An untrained person will hardly start it and move it from the place. We tell you what sportsmen go through for the sake of success in their business.

Pilot’s heart: 50 to 200 beats per minute.

F-1 competitors can be compared to Olympians in terms of physical fitness. Their training includes not only exercises for all muscle groups, but also tasks for quick reaction time, concentration, overcoming psychological and physiological difficulties. For example, the average heart rate of a pilot is 170 beats per minute. And at peak moments it reaches 200 – the maximum a person can take without harming his health. This is the only sport with such a high rate.

In addition, during a race, the heart of the pilot experiences serious drops. When approaching the braking point, the number of contractions is close to 160, in the process of stopping the bolide a little grows to then fall to an indicator of 50-60 beats per minute. It is not surprising that before the competition each driver undergoes a thorough examination, because the load during the Grand Prix is similar to that experienced by a marathon runner.

Diet of racers: carbohydrate loading without fatty and fried foods

Each racer’s menu is individualized, depending on the climatic conditions of the Grand Prix venue. The daily ration consists of foods rich in carbohydrates and completely excludes fatty, fried foods and foods that slow down the digestive process. For example, white bread. The amount of fluid intake is also determined separately for each. Specialists weigh the athlete three times, calculate the level of fluid loss and create a schedule for replenishing the water balance.

Severe pilot overload

Athletes experience tremendous pressure during races. It is comparable to the pressure that test pilots endure when performing stunts. During braking, a car racer can endure an overload of 5 g. In the history of world sport, IndyCar driver Kenny Brack survived after a short-term overload of 214 g. To understand what kind of test he underwent, you need to multiply this figure by an average weight of 75 kg and get the final result – about 16 tons! The man not only survived, but tried to return to the sport again after 18 months.

In fact, car racers are the truest athletes with amazing endurance. Jenson Button, for example, does triathlons for fun. Many pilots enjoy soccer, tennis, running, cycling and other sports. It is important for Formula 1 participants to spend time not only in the gym, but also to engage in various activities, because only in this way you can keep yourself in excellent shape.