37 Sports The RGS Gazette Issue 12 July 2024 The Physically and Mental Demands of Motorsport On the 1st of May 1994, Brazilian Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna crashed into a concrete barrier while leading the Imola Grand Prix. He hit the wall at 211 kilometres per hour, and the impact caused the front right wheel to enter the cockpit, striking Senna’s helmet and leaving him motionless. Ayrton Senna died soon after the crash, leaving behind his wife and parents. Firstly, we have to understand how the rigorous nature of Formula 1 pushes people to their absolute limit. The drivers must maintain an average of 170 beats per minute during a race, which usually lasts for hours. Racing at high speeds for this duration while also managing the car demands extremely high muscle strength and excellent stamina. Formula 1 drivers must have great leg, core, and cardiovascular fitness which compares to a marathon runner. Furthermore, drivers must have exceptional neck strength due to extreme gforces around corners and when breaking. This unique requirement distinguishes F1 drivers from other athletes in many other sports. This is why, regardless of what some say, Formula 1 is one of the most physicallydemanding sports out there. In addition to this, in order to understand the extreme strength drivers require, we must understand gforces. These are essentially the weight of a force that a driver will feel around corners and when breaking. In daytoday life, we are all exposed to 1 gforce, and to compare, Formula 1 drivers are typically exposed to around 4 or 5 G, which is enough to cause a normal human to pass out. However, during crashes, drivers can be exposed to up to 50 G, which, in cases such as Ayrton Senna's, lead to death. As a result of all this, F1 drivers are often more prone to gforces than fighter pilots, despite what some may think. "Formula 1 drivers are typically exposed to around 4 or 5 G forces, which is enough to cause a normal human to pass out." Due to the expensive cars, big teams, and experienced mechanics, some may think that motorsport is simply just 20 people driving around in circles, and the fastest car wins. However, so much more lies in the background that most people don’t even know about. Every day, drivers must physically and mentally prepare themselves for an upcoming race, and if they don’t, they will suffer consequences such as nausea, stress and fatigue. Furthermore, they must memorise every aspect of the track; each turn and straight must be laid out in their minds, plus the optimum moment to brake, accelerate, and turn into a corner. Do you think you could do this whilst trying to handle the brutal force of the car, and whilst being exposed to extreme high gforces? Finally, motorsport can also be extremely tough mentally. Drivers experience intense emotions, ranging from excitement and exhilaration to frustration and disappointment. Managing these emotions is crucial for optimal performance. Formula 1 drivers face numerous setbacks, both on and off the track. Mechanical failures, crashes, and disappointing results can test their mental resilience. Developing mental toughness is essential to bounce back from setbacks and to maintain a competitive mindset. So even though Ayrton Senna was driving at his prime, one small mistake had a catastrophic effect. This awakened people to the fact that F1 isn’t as simple as it seems on the outside. However, we must recognise that motorsport is just as difficult, if not, more difficult than many other sports and requires immense strength mentally and physically. Christian Paterson (Year 10) explores the challenges of motorsport Ayrton Senna's fatal Imola crash (1994) Jules Bianchi's fatal 254G impact (2014)
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