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===Physical demands=== Driving in Formula One is highly demanding physically, with drivers typically burning around 1,000 calories per hour and losing {{convert|2β4|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}} of weight per race.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Gaines |first=Cork |title=Formula 1 drivers need to weigh the same at every race. See inside their intense training regimen. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/f1-drivers-weight-limit-fitness-training-diet-2023-10 |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fit For F1: Why nutrition is so important for Formula 1 drivers |last=Hynes |first=Justin |date=25 February 2024 |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/fit-for-f1-why-nutrition-is-so-important-for-formula-1-drivers.1kODg9YslcgdxBgKZT8FQ5 |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Formula1.com |language=en |url-status=live |archive-date=7 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807211658/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/fit-for-f1-why-nutrition-is-so-important-for-formula-1-drivers.1kODg9YslcgdxBgKZT8FQ5}}</ref> A key reason for the physical demands is the extreme [[g-force]]s generated by driving at high speeds, with modern Formula One cars capable of generating forces of up to 6.5 ''g''s when cornering, 6 ''g''s when braking and 2 ''g''s when accelerating.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Video: Analysing 2017's massive rises in G-Force |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/video-analysing-2017s-massive-rises-in-g-force.vX8IhGjqmsaCoyy2uKKOi |date=31 March 2017 |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Formula1.com |language=en |url-status=live |archive-date=5 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205025721/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/video-analysing-2017s-massive-rises-in-g-force.vX8IhGjqmsaCoyy2uKKOi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 January 2024 |title=G-Force in F1: What is it and how many G's do drivers experience during a race |url=https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/1010709/f1-g-force/ |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=GPfans |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Barnaby |title=I went through testing to discover what it takes to be a Formula One driver and I was left super impressed by just how fit, strong, and fast they have to be |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/f1-how-fit-strong-fast-do-drivers-have-to-be-2022-6 |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> When a driver experiences 6 ''g'', they will feel a force equivalent to six times their body weight; for a person weighing {{convert|80|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}}, this would be {{convert|480|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=G-Force and Formula One: Explained |url=https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/news/g-force-and-formula-one-explained |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team |language=en-US}}</ref> Another factor is the high temperature inside the car, as the engine is mounted directly behind the driver. The temperature in the cockpit of a Formula One car can be as high as {{convert|60|Β°C|Β°F}} and drivers have to wear several layers of fireproof [[Racing suit|racing clothing]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why cockpit heat is such a big issue for F1 drivers |date=21 October 2023 |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/why-cockpit-heat-is-such-a-big-issue-for-f1-drivers/10535663/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why the Singapore Grand Prix is F1's toughest race |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/why-the-singapore-grand-prix-is-f1s-toughest-race/10617249/ |website=Autosport}}</ref> The steering wheel and brake pedal also require considerable strength to operate. Before the introduction of [[power steering]] in the 2000s, drivers had to cope with steering forces of up to {{convert|40β50|Nm|lbft}},<ref>{{Cite web |title=Summary of Honda Third-Era Formula One Chassis Development |url=https://www.hondarandd.jp/point.php?pid=595&lang=en |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Honda R&D Research Paper website}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Development of Electric Power Steering System for F-1 Race Car |url=https://www.hondarandd.jp/point.php?pid=522&lang=en |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Honda R&D Research Paper website}}</ref> while achieving maximum braking power requires drivers to apply around {{convert|330|lb|kg|abbr=on|0|order=flip}} of force to the brake pedal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Surprising Physical Demands of Being an F1 Driver |url=https://mph.com/news/54/the-surprising-physical-demands-of-being-an-f1-driver |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=mph |language=en}}</ref> Drivers also need to be light, as every extra kilogram of weight noticeably reduces performance.<ref name=":2" /> Drivers also need to train on cardiovascular fitness since heart rates can average more than 170 bpm during a race; this is more than a healthy adult would typically experience while running.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holding |first=Joe |date=22 March 2021 |title=F1 Driver Training, What's their workout regime, diet, cardio, & more |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-driver-training-workout-regime-diet-cardio/5847575/ |access-date=8 December 2024 |website=[[Motorsport.com]] |url-status=live |archive-date=28 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228190543/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-driver-training-workout-regime-diet-cardio/5847575/}}</ref>
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