Supercharged Grand Prix Cars 1924-1939 (full version)

Driver fitness

Formula One drivers are some of the most highly conditioned athletes on earth, their bodies specifically adapted to the very exacting requirements of top-flight single-seater motor racing.


All drivers who enter Formula One need to undergo a period of conditioning to cope with the physical demands of the sport: no other race series on earth requires so much of its drivers in terms of stamina and endurance. The vast loadings that Formula One cars are capable of creating, anything up to a sustained 3.5 g of cornering force, for example, means drivers have to be enormously strong to be able to last for full race distances. The extreme heat found in a Formula One cockpit, especially at the hotter rounds of the championship, also puts vast strain on the body: drivers can sweat off anything up to 3kg of their body weight during the course of a race.

In simple terms, the fitter the driver, the less susceptible he is likely to be to fatigue-induced lapses of concentration. Most drivers undergo an intensive period of cardio-vascular training ahead of the season and then taper their exercise regime to maintain their fitness levels throughout the year. Popular training methods include running, swimming and cycling.

F1 drivers also do strength training, though for weight saving reasons they are always mindful of building too much muscle. The unusual loadings experienced by neck and chest muscles mean that these are the most heavily targeted areas. However since the forces experienced in F1 racing are not easily replicated by conventional gym equipment, many drivers use specially designed 'rigs' that enable them to specifically develop the muscles they will need to withstand cornering forces. In fact, the G-forces experienced negotiating a bend can make the head and helmet weigh around five times as much as normal, and the neck must support both.

Although F1 cars have power assisted steering, strong arm muscles and a strong core are also required to enable the car to be controlled during longer races. To improve hand-eye coordination, concentration and reaction time, drivers will often incorporate other activities into their physical training regimes. A popular training aid is the batak reaction board, where the aim is to hit as many randomly-lit lights on a specially designed board in 60 seconds as possible.

In terms of nutrition, F1 drivers tend to have extremely regulated diets. Recent trends have seen drivers trim their weight as much as possible so that they can use carefully positioned ballast to bring their car up to the minimum weight. A typical pre-race meal might include chicken (or another protein like fish) and vegetables, although some drivers still prefer to eat carbohydrate-rich foods such as pasta ahead of a race to provide energy.

It is also vitally important that drivers drink large amounts of water before the race, even if they do not feel thirsty, as failure to do so could bring on severe dehydration and possible cramping.

Like athletes in other sports, Formula One drivers are subject to random drug testing.

(source: f1.com)

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Rising star Russell joins Mercedes’ junior programme

Up-and-coming driver George Russell has become the third member of the Mercedes team’s junior programme, joining incumbent F1 racers Pascal Wehrlein and Esteban Ocon.

The 18-year-old Briton sealed third place in the 2016 European Formula 3 Championship, with Mercedes-Benz powering him to a total of three pole positions, two wins, ten podium finishes and five fastest race laps along the way.

“George has shown impressive form in the junior categories and we’ve been keeping a close eye on him for a while now,” said Mercedes-Benz motorsport chief Toto Wolff. “It’s still early days in his career but we see great potential in him.”

For 2017, Russell will compete in the GP3 Series with ART Grand Prix, following in the footsteps of Ocon - now with Force India - and newly-announced Mercedes racer Valtteri Bottas - both of whom won this championship en route to F1.

“George’s next challenge in GP3 will provide a good test of his credentials for the future,” continued Wolff. “We have already seen with Esteban how effective this series can be as a training ground and, of course, this is the championship which propelled Valtteri into Formula One, so we will follow George’s progress with great interest.”

Commenting on the news, Russell said: “It’s great to be part of the Junior Programme. It is an incredibly opportunity to have the backing of the Formula One World Champions. I’m proud to have been given this kind of recognition for all the hard work that’s gone into my career over the years so far.”

With the first pre-season test for the 2017 GP3 Series still a number of weeks away, Russell is keen to maximise his time at Mercedes’ UK base in Brackley in the interim.

“I’ve started doing some work with the team in the simulator and it’s already become clear to me that I’m working with people who are the best in the business, who I know will help me develop as a driver and as a person,” concluded Russell.

“Of course, my priority is to get the job done over the coming season in GP3 and I’m fully focused on that. But this opportunity is a huge motivation and I’m looking forward to the challenge. It should be an exciting year ahead.”

Russell, from King’s Lynn in Norfolk, won the BRDC Formula 4 Championship in 2014.

(source: f1.com)

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McLaren set new car launch date

McLaren have become the latest team to confirm the launch date of their 2017 challenger.

The Woking-based team will unveil the Honda-powered MP4-32 on February 24 - the same day as rivals Ferrari reveal their new car.

McLaren finished sixth in last year’s constructors’ standings, but are hopeful that their new machine - which will be piloted by Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne, and powered by a newly laid out Honda power unit - will bring them better fortunes.

2017 car launch calendar:

Renault - February 21
Force India - February 22
Mercedes - February 23
Ferrari - February 24
McLaren - February 24


(source: f1.com)