Formula 1 may be a machine-powered sport, but the drivers are still extremely fit.
They have to cope with extreme G-forces during the races, which puts a huge emphasis on the strength of their necks.
The 24-race calendar also features some extremely hot events, most notably the Singapore Grand Prix. Drivers will lose up to four kilograms of weight purely through sweat at Marina Bay.
Thus, they have to split their winter break between the weight room and the treadmill or the bicycle.
Carlos Sainz names the two F1 drivers who are the best runners
In an interview with the Madring YouTube channel last year, designed to promote the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix in 2026, Williams driver Carlos Sainz was asked which of his competitors would set the best time in the San Silvestre Vallecana.
The 10km race takes place in the Spanish capital every New Year’s Eve.
Sainz, who prefers cycling to running, picked out Alpine star Pierre Gasly and Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg. Hulkenberg’s fitness is particularly impressive given that he’s the third-oldest driver on the grid at 38.
“Who runs well?” Sainz said. “I think Gasly runs well. Nico. They are the ones who like to run the most.
“I would win it on a bike, but I don’t run!”
Pierre Gasly’s incredible 5k time revealed
As shared on F1’s official website in 2020, Gasly can run a 5k in 18 minutes and 18 seconds. It’s unlikely that he could hold that pace for a whole 10k, but it underlines his status as one of F1’s best athletes.
For context, Gasly’s time of 18:18 puts him in the very highest percentile globally, although he’s still some way adrift of Olympic pace – less than 13:05 for a male.
The French driver, who turns 30 next month, made his F1 debut with Red Bull’s sister team (now Racing Bulls, then Toro Rosso) in 2017 and will celebrate his 200th Grand Prix shortly before the end of the upcoming season.
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