Training in Motorsport Isn’t Just Driving a Car

If you think driving any car is all the same, then you probably are not fully prepared to just jump
in to training a race car driver. And if you think drivers are the only people you can train in racing, then you probably need to further understand the scope there is to motorsport. If you want to provide value to drivers and/or teams in racing understanding the unique demands to each series and part of a team is the basis you need to having a strong foundation in training.

While yes, there is driving in any car, there are differences in demands from one car to the next, and then again from each series to each other. When it comes to cars, differences can be something like power steering or no power steering, more or less downforce, heavy or lighter brake pedals. And differences between series or levels can primarily, for the demands of a strength and conditioning coach, at least more come down to race and stint lengths. Now, what do these differences mean for coaching?

While we know that a general base may remain the same to our principles, it’s our understanding of specificity and application that shows our value within sport. When a car does not have power steering, it means the upper body demands on a driver is that much greater than when it does have power steering. Many formula cars lack power steering in junior series, and even Indycar does not have power steering, yet Formula 1 has power steering.

However in a more broad stroke, reengineering the demands of a driver means understanding that they are going in excess of 100-200mph throughout the time they are in a car, processing constantly changing information, while controlling steering through their upper body, starting and stopping with lower body strength and finesse, withstanding G forces, and being prepared for a worst case scenario.

Greater aerodynamics and downforce means more G forces, which then brings more load on the neck and body in general consistently while in the car. As juniors climb up the professional ladder in open wheel formula cars, this is one example where G forces climb higher throughout. Knowing how to prepare kids for the cars ahead of them is a way to prove an understanding of demands and value towards those you work with and their stakeholders.

Other cars like GTs and prototypes for endurance tend to have power steering and in some ways similar demands to formula cars. However, these races average at minimum at least two more hours of driving between multiple drivers. So while VO2 max is already an important marker of conditioning for formula drivers, it matters even more for endurance drivers who might be in a race for a full day.

In addition to needing endurance to last an entire race without fatiguing, each track has its own demands. Those change the nature of conditioning demands for drivers as some tracks can features minimal rest times with long corners sequences, while others might have long straights that allow for brief rests. As we know as strength coaches, energy systems do not work mutually exclusively of each other, so conditioning training is multifaceted to properly prepare drivers when reengineering demands.

If you want to succeed training race car drivers, you must understand all of the demands and
how to properly apply them.

But what if you are working within a team, drivers are not the only people you might train. The pit crew provides another opportunity to train athletes within a team and show just how valuable you are.

Again, depending on the team and series the demands can differ from crew to crew. For instance, in F1 stops take under 2.5 seconds with each person having one specific role (like being the tire wheel gun man, a jack man, etc), in IndyCar stops are closer to 7 seconds and each person has one tire they change, Nascar stops are about 13 seconds where 4 people split multiple roles on each tire, and endurance stops can be 30-40 seconds due to length of fueling.

Understanding differences from series to series is crucial in providing proper training and value
for all of the pit crew athletes. And these athletes are not just changing tires or fueling cars, most if not all have other roles during the week to help make sure every car is fully prepared as a mechanic or engineer.

While an F1 pitstop has everyone preset where they need to be a Nascar one can be far more chaotic as teams spring over the wall to typically replace all four tires while running around the car as quickly as possible.

Demands do not only differ for drivers of their series, but also for the pit crews. Know the differences to help yourself stand out.

If you are not in a team and working on the private side. You may not need to have the perfect programs, but remember it is your S&C skill that get you here and keep you with your athletes.

However, as you build your trust and show your value with stakeholders you do open up room to potentially do more for your athletes. If you work with companies you might be able to provide extra value by providing products, and using that to create another income stream for yourself and/or your athletes.

The more you can provide value for your athletes, the better you are at protecting your job security.