F1 uncovered: A weekend behind the scenes with a team physio

Nothing is trivial in Formula 1 – literally every aspect of a team’s activities is geared towards performance and, given the rapid calendar expansion of recent years, the well-being of track personnel is now being given a great deal of attention. But while it’s a well-known fact that each driver has a personal physiotherapist, few people realise that the professionals who look after the physical – and often mental – well-being of the team’s mechanics have long been among the most important members of F1 teams. 

At Haas that role is filled by Faith Atack-Martin, a specialist with a background in football – she previously worked at Leeds United – who joined the team five years ago and has been helping the team’s mechanics do their job better ever since. Her remit is to make sure they stay fit and that nothing distracts them from their duties in the garage, whether it’s helping with injuries or making sure they stay hydrated. It’s her responsibility to oversee the choreography of each member of the team’s pitcrew, and she’s often the one the team staff can turn to for advice on almost anything, from setting up a personal training programme to nutrition. With a 24-race calendar, such a role has become increasingly important.