The physical demand of Formula 1 is such that only twenty chosen ones can tame these beasts that single-seaters have become every weekend. Drivers have gone from being skilled at the wheel to true athletes ready for any challenge.
For this reason, the idea that they just sit and drive for two hours that those who know little about the category have is ruled out. It is not something that the staunch fans of the Great Circus say, but it is what the trainer of one of the best on the grid, Bradley Scanes , the trainer of Max Verstappen, explains.
The Dutchman worked with Jake Aliker in his early years in Formula 1, but for personal reasons, the Briton replaced him in this job until the Red Bull driver became world champion.
The Dutchman’s coach has revealed that during a race he can burn as many calories as someone competing in a half marathon. Jacob Kiplimo ‘s record of 57 minutes and 31 seconds sets the fastest mark in history in this modality, while a test of the highest category of motorsport lasts about half an hour more, so they can be almost equal to Same.
“You are enduring up to 40 or 45 kilos of pressure on your neck when you brake. Later, in circuits like Monza, you have to resist up to 100 kilos, and the temperature in the cockpit can be over 50ºC,” Scanes explained about the appointment that his pilot won in Miami, a very demanding place.
Verstappen lost 3.6kg in just over an hour and a half of racing through sweat, and while this can easily be regained with hydration in a few hours, it shows how difficult it is to deal with such hot conditions at a Grand Prix.
“It’s about 5% of your total weight, and if you lose that amount, it leads to a 30% loss of work capacity,” the British trainer said in an interview with De Telegraaf. “Next, you have to have stamina, but even more important is the mental aspect and concentration.”
In that test on American soil, the drivers started to make mistakes towards the end, which Scanes said was related to fatigue , which shows how important it is to be fit.
In addition, the English coach acknowledged how happy he is with the reigning world champion: “Max is an exceptional talent, you often see that in elite athletes. It’s easy to work with him, we understand each other and the atmosphere is very relaxed” .
