The 24 Hours of Le Mans, which has been held on the Sarthe circuit near the city of Le Mans since 1923, is one of the oldest and most prestigious races in the world of auto racing. Racers fight for 24 hours to complete the most laps on the 13.6 km long track in sports cars with state-of-the-art engines and aerodynamics. Since it is not possible for a race of this length to be completed by a single race driver, each team usually participates in the race with 3 race drivers.
Vehicles, which are divided into four classes according to their technical and aerodynamic characteristics, race at the same time and are rewarded at the end of the race for the fight they won against their rivals in their own categories. In addition, the team that makes the best number of laps among all the cars participating in the race wins the grand prize.
The biggest feature that distinguishes Le Mans races from other auto races is the length of the race time. As the name suggests, the Le Mans 24 Hour Race lasts for 24 hours and the team with the most laps wins the race. For example, Toyota Gazoo Racing team, which was the winner of the last three years, won the race in 2018 with 388 laps and 5286 km, while completing 385 and 387 laps in the next two years. In the Le Mans races organized by the Automobile Club de L'Ouest, the durability of the cars specially produced for the race is important as well as their speed.
Vehicles participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans races, in which an average of 60 racing drivers compete each year, are divided into four categories according to their characteristics. Hypercar (formerly LMP1) and LMP2 are the two top classes of racing cars. The cars included in these two classes, which stands for Le Mans Prototype, are distinguished from the other two classes by their maximum speed, weight and engine power. Cars competing in the Hypercar class are more likely to win the race than other classes. The reason for this is that vehicles in the Hypercar category are subject to less technical and aerodynamic limitations than other classes.
The cars of Toyota, Porsche and Audi brands, which have managed to win the race in the last 10 years, are the vehicles competing in the LMP1 (Hypercar) class. The Hypercar class is the only category in which teams are allowed to use hybrid technology in their vehicles. There is no engine volume limitation for vehicles that benefit from hybrid technology. In non-hybrid vehicles, the engine volume is limited to 5.5 liters. Similarly, the weights of the vehicles are also included in some limitations according to the hybrid technology preference.
The most obvious limitation that distinguishes the vehicles in the LMP2 class from the vehicles competing in the Hypercar class is the engine volume. The engines of the vehicles in the LMP2 class are 4.2-liter Gibson V8 engines with a power generation capacity of 600 horsepower. The chassis production of LMP2 vehicles is made by four companies determined by the race committee.
Vehicles competing in the LMGTE PRO class are not prototype vehicles, unlike the vehicles competing in the first two classes. It is possible for the factory vehicles to compete in Le Mans races after they are modified with additions limited to certain scales. At Le Mans 24 races, world-famous brands such as Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, Chevrolet Corvette and BMW are allowed to prove themselves in this category in terms of durability and speed. Large companies, aware of the importance of a championship to be won in Le Mans races in terms of brand and product advertisement, prefer to entrust their vehicles to professional pilots.
The LMGTE AM class is the category for mostly amateur or young racing drivers. Aiming to provide the spirit and excitement of the 24 Hours of Le Mans races with these equal opportunities, the race committee offers amateur pilots and young racing drivers the opportunity to compete with the racing drivers they admire.
In Le Mans races, all the cars are lined up on the track and the pilots have to run to them from across the track after the start. The endurance of the pilots is as important for the health and success of the athlete as the endurance of the automobile.
Considering the race is run for a very long time such as 24 hours, the fact that teams compete with more than one pilot increases this endurance. With the exception of Eddie Hall, who completed the race alone in 1950, it is seen that most teams competed with two drivers until the 1980s. In the following years, it was deemed appropriate for the teams to compete with 3 racing drivers in terms of safety and this became a rule.
It is not possible for drivers to drive more than 4 hours at a time during the 24-hour race period, as per race rules. Likewise, a driver is allowed to drive a maximum of 14 hours in total during the Le Mans 24 races.
Danish racing driver Tom Kristensen, who almost put an embargo on the championship with 6 championships in a row between 2000 and 2005, is the legendary pilot who has won the most championships in the history of Le Mans races, which is approaching 100 years with a total of 9 championships. After Tom Kristensen, the pilot with the highest number of titles is Belgian racing driver Jacky Ickx, who has also won 8 titles in Formula 1. German racing driver Frank Biela, British driver Derek Bell and Italian driver Emanuele Pirro; They are other drivers who made history by winning Le Mans races 5 times each.
Known as the "Circuit de la Sarthe", the track where the 24 Hours of Le Mans races are held, which is among the most famous tracks in the world, has sections specially designed for the race, as well as includes the roads actively used by the people of the region from other times of the year. Since these public sections are not as comfortable as the specially designed sections of the track, they test the vehicles' endurance and handling possibilities and make the race even more exciting.
The fastest lap record on the 13,626 km long track belongs to Mike Conway, who raced for the Toyota Gazoo Racing team in 2019 with 3:17.297. The fastest lap among the cars competing in the LMP2 class was run by Nathanael Berthon in 2018 with a time of 3:27,200. Due to the development of the vehicles, the decisions taken by the race committee for safety reasons and some sad accidents, some changes were made in some parts of the track over the years.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans, which has been held on the Sarthe circuit near the city of Le Mans since 1923, is one of the oldest and most prestigious races in the world of auto racing. Racers fight for 24 hours to complete the most laps on the 13.6 km long track in sports cars with state-of-the-art engines and aerodynamics. Since it is not possible for a race of this length to be completed by a single race driver, each team usually participates in the race with 3 race drivers.
Vehicles, which are divided into four classes according to their technical and aerodynamic characteristics, race at the same time and are rewarded at the end of the race for the fight they won against their rivals in their own categories. In addition, the team that makes the best number of laps among all the cars participating in the race wins the grand prize.
The biggest feature that distinguishes Le Mans races from other auto races is the length of the race time. As the name suggests, the Le Mans 24 Hour Race lasts for 24 hours and the team with the most laps wins the race. For example, Toyota Gazoo Racing team, which was the winner of the last three years, won the race in 2018 with 388 laps and 5286 km, while completing 385 and 387 laps in the next two years. In the Le Mans races organized by the Automobile Club de L'Ouest, the durability of the cars specially produced for the race is important as well as their speed.
Vehicles participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans races, in which an average of 60 racing drivers compete each year, are divided into four categories according to their characteristics. Hypercar (formerly LMP1) and LMP2 are the two top classes of racing cars. The cars included in these two classes, which stands for Le Mans Prototype, are distinguished from the other two classes by their maximum speed, weight and engine power. Cars competing in the Hypercar class are more likely to win the race than other classes. The reason for this is that vehicles in the Hypercar category are subject to less technical and aerodynamic limitations than other classes.
The cars of Toyota, Porsche and Audi brands, which have managed to win the race in the last 10 years, are the vehicles competing in the LMP1 (Hypercar) class. The Hypercar class is the only category in which teams are allowed to use hybrid technology in their vehicles. There is no engine volume limitation for vehicles that benefit from hybrid technology. In non-hybrid vehicles, the engine volume is limited to 5.5 liters. Similarly, the weights of the vehicles are also included in some limitations according to the hybrid technology preference.
The most obvious limitation that distinguishes the vehicles in the LMP2 class from the vehicles competing in the Hypercar class is the engine volume. The engines of the vehicles in the LMP2 class are 4.2-liter Gibson V8 engines with a power generation capacity of 600 horsepower. The chassis production of LMP2 vehicles is made by four companies determined by the race committee.
Vehicles competing in the LMGTE PRO class are not prototype vehicles, unlike the vehicles competing in the first two classes. It is possible for the factory vehicles to compete in Le Mans races after they are modified with additions limited to certain scales. At Le Mans 24 races, world-famous brands such as Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, Chevrolet Corvette and BMW are allowed to prove themselves in this category in terms of durability and speed. Large companies, aware of the importance of a championship to be won in Le Mans races in terms of brand and product advertisement, prefer to entrust their vehicles to professional pilots.
The LMGTE AM class is the category for mostly amateur or young racing drivers. Aiming to provide the spirit and excitement of the 24 Hours of Le Mans races with these equal opportunities, the race committee offers amateur pilots and young racing drivers the opportunity to compete with the racing drivers they admire.
In Le Mans races, all the cars are lined up on the track and the pilots have to run to them from across the track after the start. The endurance of the pilots is as important for the health and success of the athlete as the endurance of the automobile.
Considering the race is run for a very long time such as 24 hours, the fact that teams compete with more than one pilot increases this endurance. With the exception of Eddie Hall, who completed the race alone in 1950, it is seen that most teams competed with two drivers until the 1980s. In the following years, it was deemed appropriate for the teams to compete with 3 racing drivers in terms of safety and this became a rule.
It is not possible for drivers to drive more than 4 hours at a time during the 24-hour race period, as per race rules. Likewise, a driver is allowed to drive a maximum of 14 hours in total during the Le Mans 24 races.
Danish racing driver Tom Kristensen, who almost put an embargo on the championship with 6 championships in a row between 2000 and 2005, is the legendary pilot who has won the most championships in the history of Le Mans races, which is approaching 100 years with a total of 9 championships. After Tom Kristensen, the pilot with the highest number of titles is Belgian racing driver Jacky Ickx, who has also won 8 titles in Formula 1. German racing driver Frank Biela, British driver Derek Bell and Italian driver Emanuele Pirro; They are other drivers who made history by winning Le Mans races 5 times each.
Known as the "Circuit de la Sarthe", the track where the 24 Hours of Le Mans races are held, which is among the most famous tracks in the world, has sections specially designed for the race, as well as includes the roads actively used by the people of the region from other times of the year. Since these public sections are not as comfortable as the specially designed sections of the track, they test the vehicles' endurance and handling possibilities and make the race even more exciting.
The fastest lap record on the 13,626 km long track belongs to Mike Conway, who raced for the Toyota Gazoo Racing team in 2019 with 3:17.297. The fastest lap among the cars competing in the LMP2 class was run by Nathanael Berthon in 2018 with a time of 3:27,200. Due to the development of the vehicles, the decisions taken by the race committee for safety reasons and some sad accidents, some changes were made in some parts of the track over the years.
PHYSICAL FITNESS
Even in front of the screen, the speed we get caught in the wind while watching is not easy. A racing driver always prepares for the race with versatile training from endurance to awareness. Racing drivers go through an intense and heavy preparation period. Because the conditioning they develop in physical and mental training builds their steering dominance from different angles. Let's examine how a driver usually spends the pre-season.
Through an F1 race, drivers reach high speeds of 240-250 km/h on curves and 320 km/h on straights in an area that can be considered almost uncomfortable in a narrow cockpit. They encounter the G-force. Even at a stationary moment, the helmet shows five times more resistance to the head or neck region than normal, making it difficult to fight the pressure given by the speed they reach. Moreover, being aware of the fact that the slightest loss of concentration can cause very distressing events while doing this, requires both great focusing power and great physical competence to continue this work.
Pilots exposed to G force have stronger neck muscles than a normal person to be able to lift the pressure, and when we consider the races that are completed in an average of 90 minutes, the pilots need a solid core-central region in order not to lose their control and maintain their endurance until the end of the race. In addition, in motorsports where the speed factor is prominent, each gram of racing vehicle is considered separately and a certain weight balance is achieved.
Ideal weight is of high importance for racing drivers. Good performance requires racers, who are integral with the vehicle, to have a certain weight and endurance. Pilots must have physical strength above the weight determined for their form and the endurance of a marathoner.
Considering the pieces of training specific to their branches, which we consider as elite athletes and those who continue their professional sports life, if we look at the diversity and intensity of the training and preparation periods of F1 pilots, it is possible to say that the training of elite athletes is a little simple compared to those of F1 pilots.
One day of the routine program implemented by Red Bull driver Max Verstappen in pre-season preparation goes like this:
-07:30 Wake-up
-08:00 Breakfast
-08:45 Gym
-12:00 Lunch
-13:00 Bicycle
-15:00 Aerobic and other training
-17:00 End the day
An Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo's pre-season and mid-season preparation routines:
Pre-season:
-Boxing
-Jump training
-Skipping rope
-Peripheral vision exercises
Mid-season:
-Gym
-Bicycle
-Aerobic exercises
-Long-term endurance training programs
Of course, these programs and training routines are shaped according to the needs, shortcomings, and strengths of the pilots. As we have seen in these two pilots, although the methods have changed, the variety and intensity of the training are almost the same. To summarize; before and in the middle of the season, they need to stay strong with the strength they do with weights in the gym, the cardio they do by pedaling on the bike in any room at home, and the endurance training on a hill, in the forest.
If we talk about neck and wrist injuries, as seen especially in motorsports athletes; Various studies are needed to prevent this. During the race, the head weight of the pilots, together with the neck and helmets, increases up to 6-7 kilograms. With the G force exposed during the race, this reflects on the neck as 24-42 kilos. In studies, the neck is the most frequently injured area in pilots competing in F1-style vehicles. It is stated that this is 34 percent of all injuries. To manage this situation, very strong and durable neck muscles are required. Pilots spend a very important time on their necks in physical condition. It is recommended to work with special strength training equipment or large elastic bands to strengthen the muscles around the neck.
Meditation and awareness studies are included in the preparation process. These preparations are essential for driving wheel-to-wheel with opponents while battling adrenaline and G-force. During the race, the heart rate increases to an average of 190 per second. A deep awareness work to stay calm and at the moment is applied as exercises that make it easier to stay in the moment and make easy decisions in moments of increased stress and adrenaline.
The diet of racing drivers is focused on protein, carbohydrates, and fluids. A few days before the race, foods such as pasta and bread, which contain carbohydrates, are taken with plenty of fluids just before the race. During the race, the temperature of the cockpit where the pilots are located is 50 degrees and the humidity is up to 80 percent on some tracks. Add to this heat fireproof clothing. Pilots can lose 2-3 kilos during a race. The lost fluid is replaced before and during the race, trying to prevent both performance and concentration loss. Drivers usually drink 1 liter of fluid before the race and 1-2 liters during and after the race.
In the pre-and mid-season, these programs and training routines are shaped according to the needs, shortcomings, and strengths of the pilots. Even though the methods change in pilots, the variety and intensity of the training are almost the same. Sometimes they need to stay strong with the strength they do with weights in gyms, sometimes with cardio they do by pedaling or endurance training on a hill or in the forest.
Being a racing driver looks very tempting, but it's not easy. Being a good player in one of the most followed sports in the world takes system and discipline, dominating racing cars requires a great deal of will and strength.
PHYSICAL FITNESS
Even in front of the screen, the speed we get caught in the wind while watching is not easy. A racing driver always prepares for the race with versatile training from endurance to awareness. Racing drivers go through an intense and heavy preparation period. Because the conditioning they develop in physical and mental training builds their steering dominance from different angles. Let's examine how a driver usually spends the pre-season.
Through an F1 race, drivers reach high speeds of 240-250 km/h on curves and 320 km/h on straights in an area that can be considered almost uncomfortable in a narrow cockpit. They encounter the G-force. Even at a stationary moment, the helmet shows five times more resistance to the head or neck region than normal, making it difficult to fight the pressure given by the speed they reach. Moreover, being aware of the fact that the slightest loss of concentration can cause very distressing events while doing this, requires both great focusing power and great physical competence to continue this work.
Pilots exposed to G force have stronger neck muscles than a normal person to be able to lift the pressure, and when we consider the races that are completed in an average of 90 minutes, the pilots need a solid core-central region in order not to lose their control and maintain their endurance until the end of the race. In addition, in motorsports where the speed factor is prominent, each gram of racing vehicle is considered separately and a certain weight balance is achieved.
Ideal weight is of high importance for racing drivers. Good performance requires racers, who are integral with the vehicle, to have a certain weight and endurance. Pilots must have physical strength above the weight determined for their form and the endurance of a marathoner.
Considering the pieces of training specific to their branches, which we consider as elite athletes and those who continue their professional sports life, if we look at the diversity and intensity of the training and preparation periods of F1 pilots, it is possible to say that the training of elite athletes is a little simple compared to those of F1 pilots.
One day of the routine program implemented by Red Bull driver Max Verstappen in pre-season preparation goes like this:
-07:30 Wake-up
-08:00 Breakfast
-08:45 Gym
-12:00 Lunch
-13:00 Bicycle
-15:00 Aerobic and other training
-17:00 End the day
An Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo's pre-season and mid-season preparation routines:
Pre-season:
-Boxing
-Jump training
-Skipping rope
-Peripheral vision exercises
Mid-season:
-Gym
-Bicycle
-Aerobic exercises
-Long-term endurance training programs
Of course, these programs and training routines are shaped according to the needs, shortcomings, and strengths of the pilots. As we have seen in these two pilots, although the methods have changed, the variety and intensity of the training are almost the same. To summarize; before and in the middle of the season, they need to stay strong with the strength they do with weights in the gym, the cardio they do by pedaling on the bike in any room at home, and the endurance training on a hill, in the forest.
If we talk about neck and wrist injuries, as seen especially in motorsports athletes; Various studies are needed to prevent this. During the race, the head weight of the pilots, together with the neck and helmets, increases up to 6-7 kilograms. With the G force exposed during the race, this reflects on the neck as 24-42 kilos. In studies, the neck is the most frequently injured area in pilots competing in F1-style vehicles. It is stated that this is 34 percent of all injuries. To manage this situation, very strong and durable neck muscles are required. Pilots spend a very important time on their necks in physical condition. It is recommended to work with special strength training equipment or large elastic bands to strengthen the muscles around the neck.
Meditation and awareness studies are included in the preparation process. These preparations are essential for driving wheel-to-wheel with opponents while battling adrenaline and G-force. During the race, the heart rate increases to an average of 190 per second. A deep awareness work to stay calm and at the moment is applied as exercises that make it easier to stay in the moment and make easy decisions in moments of increased stress and adrenaline.
The diet of racing drivers is focused on protein, carbohydrates, and fluids. A few days before the race, foods such as pasta and bread, which contain carbohydrates, are taken with plenty of fluids just before the race. During the race, the temperature of the cockpit where the pilots are located is 50 degrees and the humidity is up to 80 percent on some tracks. Add to this heat fireproof clothing. Pilots can lose 2-3 kilos during a race. The lost fluid is replaced before and during the race, trying to prevent both performance and concentration loss. Drivers usually drink 1 liter of fluid before the race and 1-2 liters during and after the race.
In the pre-and mid-season, these programs and training routines are shaped according to the needs, shortcomings, and strengths of the pilots. Even though the methods change in pilots, the variety and intensity of the training are almost the same. Sometimes they need to stay strong with the strength they do with weights in gyms, sometimes with cardio they do by pedaling or endurance training on a hill or in the forest.
Being a racing driver looks very tempting, but it's not easy. Being a good player in one of the most followed sports in the world takes system and discipline, dominating racing cars requires a great deal of will and strength.
PHYSICAL FITNESS
Racing is a physically exhausting sport. Imagine driving a car at speeds approaching 112 mph for around two hours, while at the same time having to negotiate twisting circuits and finding ways to overtake opponents. This is what a Formula 1 (F1) driver will experience when they race around the streets of Monaco. It might sound thrilling and exciting, but now imagine doing this with your heart beating close to its maximum for the whole race. Research shows that heart rates can average 182 beats per minute over the course of a race while experiencing cardiorespiratory responses and energy costs which are similar to that seen in elite marathon runners and soccer players.
In Formula 1 races, the vehicle can reach a maximum speed of 375 km/h. The highest speed limit of 375 km/h can only be done on the Monza Formula 1 track in Italy. With the renewed systems, the vehicle accelerates to an average of 200 km / h and if we consider that this is continuous, it is a really serious figure for the human body. Braking systems are developed enough to drop from top speed in 1.9 seconds. Falling from 200 km/h in 1.9 seconds also causes great pressure in the human body. This is why in today's Formula 1 races, the pilot loses 2 kilos and loses 1.5 liters of water in each race he participates in. This weight lost in just hours is a very serious figure due to the limit of the human body. If a careful nutrition program is not applied, a serious body trauma will await the person due to rapid weight loss. However, the effect of sports and planned living is also very important.
The intense physical toll racing places upon the body under such high duress makes it pretty difficult to perform at your peak performance long-term. But there are ways to also train the heart to be just as fatigued as racing so that athletes can push themselves to new limits.
Similar to how you may exercise your heart during your workout, you can also train your heart to be just as fatigued during an intense sporting event.
Aside from the fact that we have sensory organs that can perceive the world using our eyes and ears, there’s another system in our body that is wired to get very tired — the Salivary Gland. This chain of glands manages the continual production of saliva. During your run, the Gland will start to sense the shortness of breath that is a by-product of your increased exertion. This is another reason that fatigue is actually a good thing for you. If your salivary glands start to get fatigued, they will start releasing more saliva which will have a positive effect on your running performance over time.
Experiment with having an extra drink or two during your workout if you find that you feel fatigued. This way your body’s primary stress response is designed to be used even when your energy stores are low.
If you want a strong immune system, strengthening your bones, lungs, brain, and muscles are all important as you embark on an endurance exercise journey.
We humans have an innate drive to perform at our best. It doesn’t matter if the goal is financial success, emotional fulfillment, or preserving our species. We strive to attain greater levels because of the satisfaction we derive from achieving them. The physical aspect of racing is just one more thing that contributes to increased stress and further injury. A study found that professional racers who decreased training intensity by 50 percent experienced the greatest reductions in VO2 max and protein balance while risking greater muscle damage, a factor commonly associated with an increased risk of injury. While moderate intensity training is crucial for optimal performance, racing at high speeds and in a pressure-packed environment constantly requires the body to adapt and work at its limits.
“Racing is not something to take your joy in — it’s a job. You do it for the passion.” — Sebastian Vettel, 2009
One of the best ways to prepare for races is to create a baseline fitness test. The baseline is where you perform two different tasks on your physiotherapy treadmill, both for the purpose of completing them under realistic conditions.
The tasks measure your range of motion in your shoulder girdle as well as improve mobility and stability in your hips and upper back. Multiple professionals will give you an overall fitness score based on these two comparisons. Scores from around 70–80 are ideal for an F1 car but may be lowered during the event due to specific driver performance.
Please join our driver's community so we can enjoy our passion as a group. You can always find great exercising tips for racing in our blogs.
PHYSICAL FITNESS
Racing is a physically exhausting sport. Imagine driving a car at speeds approaching 112 mph for around two hours, while at the same time having to negotiate twisting circuits and finding ways to overtake opponents. This is what a Formula 1 (F1) driver will experience when they race around the streets of Monaco. It might sound thrilling and exciting, but now imagine doing this with your heart beating close to its maximum for the whole race. Research shows that heart rates can average 182 beats per minute over the course of a race while experiencing cardiorespiratory responses and energy costs which are similar to that seen in elite marathon runners and soccer players.
In Formula 1 races, the vehicle can reach a maximum speed of 375 km/h. The highest speed limit of 375 km/h can only be done on the Monza Formula 1 track in Italy. With the renewed systems, the vehicle accelerates to an average of 200 km / h and if we consider that this is continuous, it is a really serious figure for the human body. Braking systems are developed enough to drop from top speed in 1.9 seconds. Falling from 200 km/h in 1.9 seconds also causes great pressure in the human body. This is why in today's Formula 1 races, the pilot loses 2 kilos and loses 1.5 liters of water in each race he participates in. This weight lost in just hours is a very serious figure due to the limit of the human body. If a careful nutrition program is not applied, a serious body trauma will await the person due to rapid weight loss. However, the effect of sports and planned living is also very important.
The intense physical toll racing places upon the body under such high duress makes it pretty difficult to perform at your peak performance long-term. But there are ways to also train the heart to be just as fatigued as racing so that athletes can push themselves to new limits.
Similar to how you may exercise your heart during your workout, you can also train your heart to be just as fatigued during an intense sporting event.
Aside from the fact that we have sensory organs that can perceive the world using our eyes and ears, there’s another system in our body that is wired to get very tired — the Salivary Gland. This chain of glands manages the continual production of saliva. During your run, the Gland will start to sense the shortness of breath that is a by-product of your increased exertion. This is another reason that fatigue is actually a good thing for you. If your salivary glands start to get fatigued, they will start releasing more saliva which will have a positive effect on your running performance over time.
Experiment with having an extra drink or two during your workout if you find that you feel fatigued. This way your body’s primary stress response is designed to be used even when your energy stores are low.
If you want a strong immune system, strengthening your bones, lungs, brain, and muscles are all important as you embark on an endurance exercise journey.
We humans have an innate drive to perform at our best. It doesn’t matter if the goal is financial success, emotional fulfillment, or preserving our species. We strive to attain greater levels because of the satisfaction we derive from achieving them. The physical aspect of racing is just one more thing that contributes to increased stress and further injury. A study found that professional racers who decreased training intensity by 50 percent experienced the greatest reductions in VO2 max and protein balance while risking greater muscle damage, a factor commonly associated with an increased risk of injury. While moderate intensity training is crucial for optimal performance, racing at high speeds and in a pressure-packed environment constantly requires the body to adapt and work at its limits.
“Racing is not something to take your joy in — it’s a job. You do it for the passion.” — Sebastian Vettel, 2009
One of the best ways to prepare for races is to create a baseline fitness test. The baseline is where you perform two different tasks on your physiotherapy treadmill, both for the purpose of completing them under realistic conditions.
The tasks measure your range of motion in your shoulder girdle as well as improve mobility and stability in your hips and upper back. Multiple professionals will give you an overall fitness score based on these two comparisons. Scores from around 70–80 are ideal for an F1 car but may be lowered during the event due to specific driver performance.
Please join our driver's community so we can enjoy our passion as a group. You can always find great exercising tips for racing in our blogs.
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