Why Do F1 Drivers Have Thick Necks ?Tom V SajiEssentiallySports

Formula one is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The drivers have to cope with extreme g-forces and endure long sessions of racing. This demands mental and physical stamina. One of the body part that experience a lot of force is the driver’s neck.

Formula 1 drivers have very strong necks. Fernando Alonso once demonstrated how strong by cracking an almond with his neck ! Now try that with your neck.

Why do F1 drivers train their neck ?

Just like any other muscle in our bodies, training them can strengthen them. The case with our necks are just the same.

As formula one drivers start driving and racing from a very young age, their bodies progressively adapt to the increasing demands as they progress through different stages of racing.

Formula One F1 – Miami Grand Prix – Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, U.S. – May 6, 2022 McLaren’s Lando Norris during practice REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo

When you  make decisions to cope with milliseconds, the last thing you want bothering you is keeping your neck straight. To see properly through corners is an already challenging task in an f1 car. To place the car with precision through corners lap in lap out demands peak physical condition. Therefore a strong neck can exponentially help a driver perform better in a race scenario.

What is the affect of G-Forces on the neck ?

Formula 1 cars have a top speed of 360KPH (223MPH) but have been known to reach speeds closer to 400KPH (248MPH). These cars accelerate from 0 – 100KPH (62MPH) in 2.4 seconds and have cornering speeds of 300KPH (186MPH). There are no cars faster around a racetrack than F1 cars. An F1 car can brake from 200 km/h (124 mph) to a complete stop in just 2.9 seconds, using only 65 metres (213 ft). Thats close to 5 g,s. To put that into perspective 5 times your body weight.

Formula One F1 – Miami Grand Prix – Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, U.S. – May 7, 2022 Mercedes’ George Russell during practice REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo

This means that an average human head weighing 5 kg will weigh 25 kgs under heavy breaking and most corners. Also remember that you need to keep fighting that throughout the race.

How do F1 drivers train their neck ?

There are numerous exercises that drivers do to strengthen their neck. The training might include extra weight and resistance training. Different drivers have custom training for them, but they all share the above said fundamentals. They have specific diet and rest requirements too.

Most forms of these training include weight attached to head by belts or resistance bands used to apply tension. They also have machines that apply varying tension just like how they experience going through corners

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Along with this they also do a lot of core muscle training

What is a HANS device ?

The HANS device allows the driver’s head to move normally, but prevents or restricts head movements during a crash that would exceed the normal articulation range of the musculoskeletal system and cause severe injury.

In any kind of crash, the person’s body, which is not protected, is decelerated by the seat belt, with the head maintaining velocity until it is decelerated by the neck. The HANS device maintains the relative position of the head to the body, in addition to transferring energy to the much stronger chest, torso, shoulder, seat belts, and seat as the head is decelerated.

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