Cover Max Verstappen warms up before a race (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Max Verstappen warms up before a race (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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If you think you wouldn’t need to work out much in a driving sport, think again
Many people think driving a Formula 1 car is comparable to steering a regular racing car. But what most people don’t know is that it requires a lot of physical effort and strength to handle the intense amounts of G-force your body takes. This makes sense, knowing that you’re driving at 350 kph while wearing a 1.2 kg helmet with your body feeling six times heavier.
So how do Formula drivers stay strong enough to take high speeds, physical exertion, extreme heat, and even weight loss? It all starts with the proper workout routine.
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1. Lewis Hamilton
With seven championships, Lewis Hamilton is one of the sport's biggest active legends. All these wouldn't have been achieved without the intense six-hour training routine he follows faithfully five times a week. While he likes to lift weights, he ensures not to exceed the mark as gaining big muscles will negatively affect the low centre of gravity of the car. So his main focus? Core, cardio, and the neck.
2. Bianca Bustamante
Bianca Bustamante was the first Filipina to win a Formula 1 Academy race. As an up-and-comer in the racing scene, she's still getting used to the higher gs the sport demands. She often wakes up with a stiff neck, so she's been training with the Iron Neck—a device you put on your head that gets yanked around from all directions.
Bustamante also hits the gym to lift dumbells and barbells, perform deadlifts, and do intense core training.
3. Max Verstappen
The hardest part about racing is the physical strain on a racer's neck. To counter this, Max Verstappen has a variety of workouts to keep him in top performance. For the award-winning racer, cardio is the most important, so he spends most of his time running and cycling on his Wattbike. To develop upper arm strength, Verstappen doesn't lift too many weights. Instead, he uses an Isomed steering wheel. To top things off, he uses the Iron Neck.
Also see: Bianca Bustamante bags third season win for PREMA at Formula 1 Academy race
4. Pierre Gasly
From cycling to core workouts and squats, Pierre Gasly has a well-rounded physical fitness routine that helps him retain energy during intense races. For Gasly, it’s all about not overexerting yourself.
5. Carlos Sainz Jr.
Often called Carlos ‘‘Gainz’’ by his fans, McLaren’s Carlos Sainz has a demanding training regimen. His bodyweight exercises are usually in a circuit format, doubling as a great cardio workout. He mixes everything into his training, starting from the core and onto his legs.
Read also: Lewis Hamilton: 7 of Our Favourite Fashion Moments
6. Sergio Pérez
Unconventional in his workout routine, Sergio Pérez does gruelling exercises in a steam-filled gym. He does everything from pedalling a stationary bike to weightlifting and core training under intense heat. His training doesn’t stop there. He likes to keep his reaction time sharp using his flash reflex training system.
7. George Russel
The definition of quality over quantity, George Russel's workout routine focuses on the weight he lifts, not the number of reps he does. Russel usually focuses on his core with push-ups and press-ups, only doing 10 reps per set. If he wants more intensity, he puts extra weight on his back. He leaves intense workouts for his neck, where he does neck planks during his breaks.
Russel also plays mental games on his iPad to ensure his body and mind are in top condition.
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About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
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A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
