Question about Formula One drivers

Posted this question in a different section and received one response to post it over here .
Watching the races I have always wondered how F1 drivers stay rested when traveling to so many countries on such a tight schedule. I know with the minimal traveling I do that sleeping in a different hotel each night gets me a little rest if any. How do they keep fatigue from affecting their performance? Do they travel behind the team in a corporate jet that acts as their hotel where they’re sleeping in the same bed nightly?

 

I think they are used to the travel schedule, and as such, don't really have a "home" bed they are used to. However, it is not like they are staying at a HoJo's or a Motel 6. They are staying at top tier hotel suites. Even during last season and covid, they had mobile homes. Who knows, maybe they all have My Pillows. lol

 

Some have their own jets, many charter one together. The team pit crew mostly travel by normal planes. Of course it helps that most races are held in Europe so they tend to be able to sleep in their own apartment Sunday night...I would say fatigue affects the pit crew far more than the F1 drivers in that regard. We all know that the real PITA from airtravel is at commercial airports and the never ending waiting!

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The European race schedule isn't that difficult for the drivers with regards to sleeping and staying in hotels.

Traveling abroad the European race schedule is taxing on the drivers with regards staying in a hotel or staying and sleeping in the paddock.

Brazil is one country where some, if not most teams, hire private security at the hotel stays due to rampant crime going to and from the hotel to track.

Some of the drivers come from F2 into F1 so they get used to the sleeping schedule at such an early age.

 

Great pictures! Thanks!
My wife and I agreed that if we ever found the financial means it would be fun to follow the F1 circuit around the world for one year. Don’t see that happening LOL but one can dream right?

 

My pleasure man! I very much dreamed of that too! One day maybe.

 

Look at the big picture, most of them have a team of people helping them, personal trainer, team chef, they work out all year, personalized diet, get to the long haul races a week early to adapt to the time zone (like Japan). That doesn't mean it's easy, but as easy on the body as they can make it.

 

It helps that they are (for the most part) young. Also: if Kimi is any indication, they take naps as needed.

 

I was surprised that Lando got mugged. Didn't he have security with him?

 

Same here. Not at the event.

 

RM probably sent him a replacement watch by now.

 

Being in their early 20’s must help too. When I was that age I could burn the midnight oil and it didn’t effect me either.


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I travel for my job… a lot of travel travel. You get use to it. I’m 56yrs old and have been traveling 2 or more weeks a month since I was 20yrs old.

Plus when I was a f1 drivers age travel never ever effected me at all. F1 drivers stay in the best top tier hotels and are catered to. Everything is done for them from laundry, new clothes, getting supplies, chauffeured too and from if they choose or they drive fun comfortable cars a short distance from the hotel to the track, etc. They live a life of luxury.

 

Meh they have private jets and all.

 

F-1 Drivers have all the Support - mostly private jets - I think Long haul - Europe to Asia / Aus - is commercial but 1st class.

they also train for the up coming race and time change. Diet, sleep, and physical therapy. I believe the trainers work to keep them on a sleep, eat, work out / stress schedule... so that time change does not impact them as much. the travel part is pretty "easy" its the venue schedule that gets you.

european races - some drive, some fly etc. they also travel on site several days before to acclimate to temps, etc.

long haul races & time change - they start to prep week or more in advance living on that time schedule. Sponsor and media times are affected by this as well... gets them all annoyed.

 

The drivers and team principles have the financial clout to take the sting out of the travel. What about the rest of the team, engineers, mechanics, data guys, kitchen staff etc. They're the ones who get economy flights, share rooms, have to cram into a mini van together to get too and from the track etc. Those are the ladies and gentlemen who really deserve respect and more time off in the season. Who outside of the the promoters really thinks more than 18-20 races are needed to decide a championship?

 

If I made $5m/week I doubt I would fly commercial either.

 

Exactly.

 

What, some make less than that here ???
(just joking )