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.
Showing posts with label drivers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drivers. Show all posts
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Famous Formula One Drivers Through the Years
There are many things that make drivers a legend. From a diverse and faithful fan base to an uncanny driving ability that no other possesses, little things can make a driver a legend in their own rights. The legends are the drivers that are talked about long after their career is over and that are names that pop into your head when Formula One racing is talked about.
Michael Schumacher is a seven time Formula One World Champion and according to the official Formula One website is statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen. He is known for his controversial driving. Michael Schumacher won two Formula One World Championships with Benetton and five more with Ferrari. He holds many reconds that are waiting to be broken with Formula One. Some of these titles are race victories, pole positons, and fastest laps.
Juan Manuel Fangio began racing long before the start of Formula One. He was racing on the deadly Argentine tracks that seemed more concerned with thrilling the fans than the start of the drivers. Juan Manuel Fangio went to Europe to begin his Formula One career in 1947. He won two Formula One World Championships in 1951 and 1955 before his career to a downward turn when he was indirectly involved in the accident that killed 83 spectators. He went on to live to 1995 but his career had never recovered.
Ayrton Senna Monaco made his way into the Formula One racing world in 1984. He held the record for most pole positions until 12 years after his death in 1994. Ayrton Monaco was the formula One World Champion in 1988, 1990, and 1991. He was killed in an accident as he was leading the race at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, Italy.
Stirling Moss is a Formula One racing pioneer that never won a championship in his 14 year career. From 1948 until 1962 he was creating an excellent effort with numerous wins and pole positions but new quite was able to seal the deal. Aside from his Formula One racing career he was Knighted in 2000 as Sir Stirling Moss.
Nigel Mansell's Formula One racing career began in 1980 and lasted until 1992 when he took a brat to run in the CART Indycar World Series. He returned to Formula One for a brief 2 year return in 1994 and 1995 for a total of six races. Nigel Mansell was the Formula One World Champion in 1992 and finished second in 1986, 1987, and 1991.
Jackie Stewart is a Scottish Formula One driver that was nicknamed The Flying Scot. This now Formula One team owner had won three World Championships from 1965 to 1973. After receiving Rookie of the Year Honors in 1966 he won the Formula One World Championship in 1969, 1971, and 1973. With commentator and consultant for Ford Motor Company also under his career belt, Jackie Stewart also appeared in a UPS commercial to get Dale Jarrett "to drive the Big Brown Truck" in 2002 and 2003.
This just touches base on a few of the great names of Formula One. As you can see it is not necessarily about how many championships they won, but also on how they played the game.
Michael Schumacher is a seven time Formula One World Champion and according to the official Formula One website is statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen. He is known for his controversial driving. Michael Schumacher won two Formula One World Championships with Benetton and five more with Ferrari. He holds many reconds that are waiting to be broken with Formula One. Some of these titles are race victories, pole positons, and fastest laps.
Juan Manuel Fangio began racing long before the start of Formula One. He was racing on the deadly Argentine tracks that seemed more concerned with thrilling the fans than the start of the drivers. Juan Manuel Fangio went to Europe to begin his Formula One career in 1947. He won two Formula One World Championships in 1951 and 1955 before his career to a downward turn when he was indirectly involved in the accident that killed 83 spectators. He went on to live to 1995 but his career had never recovered.
Ayrton Senna Monaco made his way into the Formula One racing world in 1984. He held the record for most pole positions until 12 years after his death in 1994. Ayrton Monaco was the formula One World Champion in 1988, 1990, and 1991. He was killed in an accident as he was leading the race at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, Italy.
Stirling Moss is a Formula One racing pioneer that never won a championship in his 14 year career. From 1948 until 1962 he was creating an excellent effort with numerous wins and pole positions but new quite was able to seal the deal. Aside from his Formula One racing career he was Knighted in 2000 as Sir Stirling Moss.
Nigel Mansell's Formula One racing career began in 1980 and lasted until 1992 when he took a brat to run in the CART Indycar World Series. He returned to Formula One for a brief 2 year return in 1994 and 1995 for a total of six races. Nigel Mansell was the Formula One World Champion in 1992 and finished second in 1986, 1987, and 1991.
Jackie Stewart is a Scottish Formula One driver that was nicknamed The Flying Scot. This now Formula One team owner had won three World Championships from 1965 to 1973. After receiving Rookie of the Year Honors in 1966 he won the Formula One World Championship in 1969, 1971, and 1973. With commentator and consultant for Ford Motor Company also under his career belt, Jackie Stewart also appeared in a UPS commercial to get Dale Jarrett "to drive the Big Brown Truck" in 2002 and 2003.
This just touches base on a few of the great names of Formula One. As you can see it is not necessarily about how many championships they won, but also on how they played the game.
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