All About Formula One Racing Drivers

During the early days of Formula One racing it was not unusual for drivers to be over forty years old. As the demands of the sport have changed so have the drivers. Today's Formula One racing drivers are younger. They also are more physically fit than drivers in the past. Training begins at a young age and the career of a Formula One racing driver is usually over by his mid-30s.

Most Formula One racing drivers begin their careers driving in other European racing sports. In the past the Formula 3000 series was considered the final stepping-stone before entering Formula One racing. Recently, however, the champions in the new GP2 series have moved on to Formula One racing. Additionally, former British F3 drivers are also commonly found in Formula One racing.

Working as a test driver for a Formula One racing team is considered the perfect training ground for drivers new to Formula One racing. Test drivers have the opportunity to drive during Friday on Formula One racing weekends. Considering the quantity of testing that is performed with Formula One racing vehicles, it is not uncommon for test drivers to complete a season with more drive time than the official team drivers.

Formula One racing is a physically demanding sport that requires stamina and endurance. Formula One racing drivers are among the most conditioned athletes in the world.

The aerodynamic design of a Formula One racecar allows it to create g-force up to 3.5. Drivers must be exceptionally strong to endure that amount of force for the length of a Formula One race. The heat centered in the cockpit of a Formula One racing vehicle can cause a driver to sweat up off up to six pounds of their body weight during a Formula One racing event.

In order to successfully deal with the physical demands of Formula One racing, drivers workout using intensive cardio-vascular sports such as running and swimming. Special devices are used to strengthen neck and chest muscles. Strengthening these muscles is especially important considering the force exerted on the helmet and head while cornering. Strong arm muscles are required to control the high-speed Formula One cars.

Formula One racing drivers follow a carefully regulated diet that controls the amounts of protein and carbohydrates their body absorbs. Like long-distance runners, Formula One racing drivers eat large quantities of pasta and other high-carb food for energy and stamina during race weekends. They must also make certain they consume large quantities of water prior to a race to prevent dehydration.

The extreme demands of Formula One racing force most drivers from competition by their mid-30s. After retiring from Formula One racing many drivers continue to race in less demanding motor sports. Some former drivers choose to compete in DTM while others choose to move to America and compete in the IndyCar or NASCAR series. The Grand Prix Masters, a new series begun in 2005, requires that all drivers be retired Grand Prix drivers over 40 who have been retired at least two years. The Grand Prix Masters should be a common series to spot former Formula One racing drivers in the future.