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RACING drivers are as finely tuned as their engines and nurtured just as thoroughly, if the regime that
Not only do they train almost obsessively in the gym to strengthen their bodies but their diets are meticulously planned and supervised in an effort to provide the optimum fuel that will match their efforts in weight training and aerobic exercise, according to the Atlas F1 Journal.
Manolito Tinsay, 38, Hamad’s personal trainer, from
He said: “A race car driver has to build up stamina, strength, agility and alertness. Regularly driving at high speed can put a strain on the back, shoulders and especially the neck, which is why I focus on these aspects, not forgetting the arms and legs, of course.
“I have designed an advanced circuit programme to achieve the strength and stamina needed and recommend circuit training, three to four times a week, in no more than one hour and 15 minutes. Always start with stretching, then a warm up and end with a cool down.”
Exercise is merged with a calorie-controlled diet. These meals are high in complex carbohydrates but as near zero as possible in fat content. The slightest increase in fat affects the racer’s efficiency and a heavy meal, loaded with fats, boosts the lipids in the bloodstream. That’s not good when the driver’s overworked heart might need all the help it can get as it surges from around 60 beats a minute to 240 beats in a race.
A race driver’s dinner, after a breakfast of muesli or porridge with sliced banana and grated apple, and a mid-morning fruit snack and litres of mineral water, might be a bowl of vegetable soup, piece of whole-wheat bread without butter, plate of pasta with low fat sauce, steamed broccoli, yogurt, dried fruit and nuts and fruit juice or mineral water.
Red meat is banned alongside junk food, alcohol, sugar and any food that contains fat. An egg is considered a once-a-week treat.
The average Grand Prix driver weighs around 65kg, with minor fluctuations, and carries virtually no fat on a lithe, but strong and muscular body with fine definition.
Manolito said: “Nutrition is important. What you eat makes a big difference especially because you need to maintain your weight. Hamad is currently on a protein diet. He is averaging a weight of 75kg and is at his suitable weight to race.
“A driver should not be over 78kg but it all depends on the height really. The shorter you are the more advantage you have when racing. Hamad is a bit tall so he can’t go above 80kg.”
