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King fighting fit for forthcoming campaign after picking up training tips from F1 star Webber

The physical fitness workshop was the first activity of 2014 for the elite British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) SuperStars scheme.

Jordan King

Jordan King

GP2 Media Service

Jordan King is fighting fit ahead of his sophomore campaign in the fiercely-contested FIA Formula 3 European Championship, after attending a comprehensive pre-season training and preparation camp with former F1 star Mark Webber.

The physical fitness workshop was the first activity of 2014 for the elite British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) SuperStars scheme, of which the talented young Warwickshire single-seater ace has been a member since last year. The two-day programme took place at the state-of-the-art Porsche Human Performance Centre at Silverstone, in the presence of the German sportscar manufacturer’s new endurance racing recruit Webber.

Jordan King
Jordan King

Photo by: GP2 Media Service

On the agenda were challenges as diverse as cycling, strength conditioning, yoga, resistance work, early-morning runs and athletic workouts – and as he prepares to embark upon a full-on title tilt with Carlin in European F3, King was able to pick up some invaluable tips and advice from a man who won no fewer than nine grands prix during the course of a stellar top flight career.

“It was an immensely positive and worthwhile experience,” acknowledged the 20-year-old MSA Team UK protégé and erstwhile McLaren Autosport Award finalist. “On the first day, we focussed on the physical fitness side, and then on day two, we delved deeper into the theory behind it and how it works, which was really interesting. We examined the effects on the body of sleep patterns and travel; Mark revealed that he spent a total of 36 days flying last year, which is more than a month in the air!

“There was a question-and-answer session, too, and it was great to have the chance to pick Mark’s brains. He has always taken his fitness really seriously – just look at his Tasmania Challenge – and it’s a complete myth that racing drivers are not professional athletes like other sportspeople. Take Jenson Button as an example – he could qualify for the Olympics in the triathlon if he wanted to, which is majorly impressive.

“The length of races and the temperatures inside the cockpit – not to mention the very high G-forces – can be extremely draining and really take it out of you, calling for both physical strength and mental resilience. When you get tired, that’s when your concentration starts to fade and mistakes can creep in, making it key to ensure you are absolutely at your peak when you arrive at the race track and that your recovery period is as short as can be. Thankfully, training has never felt like a burden to me.”

Indeed, King has always been a keen sportsman, playing football as-and-when his racing commitments allow and running, mountain-biking and making regular trips to both the gym and Leamington Cycling and Athletics Club. BRDC SuperStars Director Tim Harvey affirmed that the highly-rated Stoneleigh-based hotshot was an enthusiastic and receptive participant.

“The fitness training workshop was a great opportunity for the SuperStars to learn not only from a top-level athlete like Mark, but also from each other,” stated the 1992 British Touring Car Champion. “They were able to discern where they were strong and in which areas they had room for improvement. It got everybody fully focussed and into the right mentality for the year ahead. Jordan is particularly fit already, and he maintains a strict routine. He stood out in all the exercises.”

Harvey went on to explain why it was an easy decision to retain the Hugo Boss brand ambassador – the architect of a magnificent maiden campaign in F3 that yielded the prestigious British crown, leading rookie honours and a top six championship finish in Europe as well as fastest lap in the end-of-year Macau Grand Prix – on the blue riband BRDC SuperStars initiative.

“Each driver is considered based upon their commitment to the programme, what they are getting out of it and their continuation on an upward career path within the sport – allied, of course, to their success on the track,” he underlined. “In every area last year, Jordan excelled.

“In his first season in F3, his results kept getting better and better, he applied himself fantastically and to win the British title and finish inside the top five in Macau was hugely impressive. What’s more, throughout it all, he was a model example of how a professional young driver should be and he derived great benefit from being part of the SuperStars programme. If last year was a learning curve for Jordan, though, this year is all about targeting the championship – and he will certainly start out as one of the favourites.”

Jordan King

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