Renault drivers training programme

An F1 driver never escapes his work! Even when they return to their Monaco apartments, Jenson and Jarno don't stop training. With the physical demands of an F1 car, they can't have it any other way! The objective is for the drivers to be able to cope with the 70 laps of a race, as well as the 4G of longitudinal acceleration and 5G of lateral acceleration inflicted on their neck muscles on every fast corner. A modern F1 car has become an instrument of torture. It's just as well to be prepared.

As Jarno Trulli says, "When you're an F1 driver, you are 100% into your job. There's no time to relax, or entertain friends. If we're not racing, then we are probably testing. And if there's no testing, we need to work out 3 or 4 hours a day, minimum three days a week."

The drivers work relentlessly throughout the winter 'break'. As the technical teams strive to trim tenths of a second in the wind tunnel or gain a few extra horsepower, the driver must train to ensure he isn't the weak link in the operation.

The training regime is prepared by Bernie Shrosbree, aided by Phil Young and Andy Blow. Each programme aim to keep the driver's in peak physical condition for driving an F1 car. As you can see below, the demands are enough to wear out even some of the world's best-trained athletes!

A typical off-season week's training:

Two long bicycle training sessions (two to three hours).
Two runs, the first at a sustained pace, the second focusing on interval training.
Swimming (instruction in technique, followed by rest periods).
Two to three sessions of strength training and stretching devised specially for the drivers: specific arm exercises, upper-body stability.
Games and sporting activities involving motor function and eye-hand coordination (tennis, squash, etc)
Daily neck exercises.
Regular massage sessions (45 minutes)
The drivers can also take part in their favourite sporting activities, such as mountain biking and climbing.

During the season:

The activities mentioned above are continued but reduced according to the drivers' travelling and training schedules.
A 20-minute warm-up run before and after driving, to eliminate stress and tension.
Stretching before and after driving.
Massages.

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