Published by Programme B
Contrary to popular belief, Formula One drivers are highly conditioned to the physical demands of top-flight racing. Not only are they required to adhere to certain weight limits but they must also undergo strength-training, endurance training and consume healthy meals at all times. During the racing session, elite drivers follow the following kinds of diets.
Breakfast
A Formula One driver’s breakfast consists of whole-meal carbs, fruits, caffeine-providing drinks and protein in light portions. For drinks, porridge, fruit juices, and green tea are the most preferred options. Porridge is energy given and does not contain caffeine.
Fruit juices provide sugar while green tea offers nearly all needed nutrients. Nuts and other seed-based carbohydrate sources are also recommended. When it comes to protein, there are no limits on what can be taken. However, eggs are the most common meals for breakfast.
Exercises after Breakfast
Drivers are not expected to undergo strenuous training during the racing seasons. All their energy is reserved for racing events. But before the racing day, they will usually hit the gym for strength training and muscle building. This helps do final preparations. And Betway F1 spoke with Eliot Challifour, who explained just how fit these drivers are compared with other athletes.
When it comes to building muscles, drivers undergo the usual weightlifting, doing squats and other specialized training sessions. For example, the drivers need strong neck muscles to deal with the enormous forces they must endure while maneuvering race cars.
Formula One drivers also need strong arms to be able to control steering wheels at top speeds, well-built shoulders, and great body cores. Ideally, their bodies are conditioned to handle the G-forces that come with braking 1800-pound cars at 150 miles per hour.
Lunch
After mid-morning exercises, the drivers engage in another session of fueling their bodies with healthy meals. Like breakfast, whole grain carbs have to be provided. Vegetables, fruits along with lean meat may also be incorporated into drivers’ diets.
McLaren drivers are treated to tofu for lunch. Their meals consist of a total of about 800 calories and also include caffeinated drinks and chocolate. However, the drivers’ meal portions are kept at a minimum to anticipate for more meals in the afternoon.
At around 3 pm, the drivers get bananas, apples and about half a liter of water to prepare for a strength-training session.
Second strength-Training Session
Drivers hit the gym once more to build muscles around their arms, shoulders, chests, and legs. The sessions take place entirely in gyms fitted with state of the art equipment. Some drivers, however, tend to take matters outdoors where can still do many of the routines needed to build muscles.
Keep in mind Formula One drivers aren’t expected to build unnecessary muscles. The goal is to be strong without adding a lot of dead weight. This means burning fat until they have a fat content of below 10%.
Supper
Supper meals vary from one Formula One camp to the other. At McLaren, supper begins at 6.30pm for a heavy dish of baked sweet potatoes served with grilled fish. Drivers also receive salads consisting of spinach, red onions, avocados, cucumbers, and tomatoes. They may also have yogurt and berries.
After a hard-days job at the tracks, McLaren’s meals are meant to provide drivers with lots of vitamins and minerals and minimal amounts of carbs and protein. Before they sleep, drivers are also fed snacks and other vitamin-containing foods.
Formula 1 Diets according to Jenson Button
Former McLaren driver Jenson Button typically makes a few changes to his meals. Prior to a racing weekend, he consumes a dish of omelet served with cheese and tea for breakfast. He also drinks yogurt, nuts, and berries.
After a training session in the mid-morning, Button takes a meal of salmon fish served with vegetables. Sometimes he takes tofu but must also be served with vegetables or fruits. For supper, the British driver treats himself to steak with vegetables.
Now that he also races in Japan, the 39-year-old constantly tries chef-picked local delicacies. He also consumes lots of water to provide with the fuel needed to digest food and keep him healthy.
In Conclusion
Formula 1 drivers race like champions. But to become champions, they must eat healthy meals and do lots of training. They also need good cars and great trainers. When it comes to food, eating healthy meals with all the minerals their bodies require is important. From morning to supper, their diets must be good.
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