- 14 Jul 09, 13:17#132874
F1 drivers are more fit.
(Regardless of ability) a F1 driver could easily play a full football match. Whilst a footballer could not go a race distance without blacking out or his neck snapping. In fact, not even a driver from another category could go a race distance without proper F1 fitness training.
The real strain is the G forces and keeping your brain working. Not stepping on a clutch pedal or shifting gears. G forces are much much higher compared to the old days, so i can easily say drivers today are fitter than in the old days.
(Regardless of ability) a F1 driver could easily play a full football match. Whilst a footballer could not go a race distance without blacking out or his neck snapping. In fact, not even a driver from another category could go a race distance without proper F1 fitness training.
I would say it's relatively equal; it's a different type of fitness, F1 drivers need to have strong enough muscles to withstand the G-Forces exerted by a F1 car but footballers need more stamina fitness as they are constantly running around. Formula 1 drivers don't have much to physically do in modern F1 cars; it's not like old F1 when the car had a clutch and a physical gear stick and non of this fly by wire control system!
The real strain is the G forces and keeping your brain working. Not stepping on a clutch pedal or shifting gears. G forces are much much higher compared to the old days, so i can easily say drivers today are fitter than in the old days.
Came out fighting indeed.