Formula 1 is an incredibly physically demanding on the body, just as within other sports. In fact, an F1 driver undergoes both an aerobic and a strength challenge, placing drivers under extreme stress when competing.

Getting ready for race day

Drivers undergo a variety of stressors while competing, with increased pressure placed on the body’s muscular system, often seeing drivers reporting being unable to lift their arms post-race. Not to mention cockpit temperatures which can reach ~500C and race suits and helmets seeing increased dehydration, with drivers often losing up to four litres of bodyweight.

Another physical demand placed on the body is that of G-forces. In Formula 1, due to the speed and design of the cars, there are high levels of downforce generating 3-5 G’s consistently through a race. David Coulthard described it as “when you brake at the end of a straight, it feels like a sledgehammer has hit your back.”

While the mental demands of an F1 race mean that drivers need to remain focused while travelling at 150mph, with 19 other cars travelling just as fast all around you and making decisions about pit stops and tyre conditions. As Ayrton Senna said “you can drive a Grand Prix car whether fit or unfit. But how long you can drive, how precise, how consistent, from the stress of high temperatures, the physical conditions during a race is another thing.”

Feeding and Fuelling

F1 drivers can lose 2-4kg of fluid, burn through 1,500 calories and lose up to 5% body weight during races, so preparing the body correctly becomes hugely important.

F1 drivers can carry 1.5 litres of drinking fluid in the car, but this is likely not enough to make up for all the fluids and calories lost by the driver over the course of a two-hour race. To combat this, motorsport drivers will “pre-load” with fluids and electrolytes to maximise their hydration status and fluid levels going into a race to delay the effects of dehydration.

Drivers can burn 1,500 calories in a race, similar to football, rugby or hockey players, so they must eat appropriately before and after racing, with complex carbohydrates, lean proteins and colour on the menu.

Following a race, drivers will follow the 4 R’s of recovery –refuel, repair, rehydrate and relax. If their post-race nutrition isn’t as good as it should be, it could take double the amount of time for their body to recover, which could be problematic if they have a double, or even triple, header of race weekends.

So, bear this in mind when you watch the drivers take to the grid this British Grand Prix weekend!