When you watch F1 drivers fly from one country to another to attend races, you may be very envious of them, because you believe that racers have so many opportunities to travel for free. However, do drivers enjoy these types of trips?
Races that take place in various countries are called flying races. Each year, F1 will be held in about 20 countries, which means that drivers have to fly from one country to another throughout the year to participate in the race. In fact, this provides them with a golden opportunity for sightseeing. However, the sport of F1 consumes time and energy, making it difficult for drivers to have fun in their relaxed time. Above all, due to flight racing, all pilots severely suffer from jet lag and irregular schedule.
“Actually, it is not the race itself that stresses us, but traveling without a proper schedule,” said Jarno Trulli, a rider for the former Lotus team.
In addition to this, some Grand Prix held in Asian countries, such as Singapore, started racing at 8pm, while in Europe it is usually at 2pm Since most of the drivers are from Europe, this can be quite a challenge. for them. However, they have already devised an effective method.
“All you have to do is not change your sleep schedule: you stay on European time, go to bed around 4 in the morning and wake up around 1 in the afternoon,” said Pedro de la Rosa, a former F1 driver. .
In addition, he added that drivers should make sure there is no light in the room and should tell hotel people not to do housekeeping in their rooms early.
Aside from the time zone difference, the race in Singapore, in intolerable heat and humidity, requires runners to drive at night on city circuits, requiring drivers to have intense concentration or they could simply hit a wall .
Thus, the former Renault team doctor Ricardo Ceccarelli said: “If you put it all together, it is the most difficult cocktail. It is like Monaco for concentration, it is like Malaysia for heat and humidity, and then it is night, then it is still more difficult “.
And Dr. Ceccarelli said he would give his drivers light sleeping pills to make them feel better. In addition, he encouraged the pilots to get some exercise in the heat and humidity a few days before the competition.
In addition, Pedro de la Rosa spoke of his experience dealing with loose races. He said he would arrive early but he would not exaggerate either. For example, you would normally arrive in Singapore on a Tuesday and by Friday you would have adapted to the environment.