A friend sent an email to the Arrive Alive road safety website with the title “F1 accident”. Opening the attachment I was in anticipation of a horrific Formula 1 accident. Fortunately this was not what I found – and I immediately considered how this could best be used on the road safety blog to have some kind of meaningful road safety impact!
We have recently added information on the Arrive Alive website about driver fitness – with special focus on physical fitness and how this can improve safe driving. I would like to quote from this section:
“There is no better illustration of the importance of physical fitness than to analyze the training amongst our Formula 1 drivers. Formula 1 epitomises the quest for maximum performance – drivers now use the same training techniques as top athletes to improve strength and endurance. These drivers have to maintain a perfect level of concentration throughout the race with all the senses at their peak awareness.
Interesting facts about Formula 1 racing and the challenges to the bodies of these drivers are:
• During a Grand Prix, the pulse rate of a Formula 1 driver hovers around 160 beats per minute, and has peaks of over 200. The pulse rate of a healthy young man is typically in the region of 60 beats per minute.
• The Lateral G-forces exerted on a driver can be as much as 4.5 G, which means about 25 kg on the neck
• Blood pressure can increase up to 50% whilst racing
• F1 Drivers loose approx. 2-3 litres of water during a race
• The G-forces require that specific muscles groups be developed, one of the most important being without doubt the driver’s neck.
The McLaren Team is an excellent example of how driver fitness is recognized as a key component of ultimate performance and safety. The McLaren Team believes being at the top in Formula One does not only mean spending time and effort on making a car go quicker. F1 teams have become more and more aware of the importance of keeping drivers in top physical and mental condition in order to enhance the global team performance.
The tools of the McLaren Lab are sub-programmes that focus on cardiovascular fitness, biodynamical factors; such as musculoskeletal balance, flexibility and strength – nutrition, mental energy and general health.
Even though the average driver will never face the driving conditions confronting Formula One drivers – road safety can only benefit by improving the physical fitness of drivers!”
View the Arrive Alive Road Safety website for info on: