Max on track BRIT COACH GETS F1 ACE READY
MAX VERSTAPPEN claims he is in peak condition to retain his F1 title – and for that he has a Brit to thank.
The Dutch ace is once more leading the pack going into today’s Canadian Grand Prix at Montreal and puts his flying start down to the influence of coach Bradley Scanes.
Verstappen said after last week’s win in Baku that he had “never started a season fit and great like now”.
Scanes, 34, is part of Red Bull’s human performance team, and it’s his job to make sure that the reigning champ is raring to go.
They have worked together for three years and Scanes, who boasts a background in basketball and gymnastics, has a few tricks up his sleeve to keep Verstappen on track.
He said: “Formula One is one of the most demanding sports. In addition to the physical components, there are 20 different buttons on your steering wheel.
“Temperatures can reach up to 50 degrees, you’re racing along at 200 miles per hour and Max is talking to his race engineer and making decisions in the heat of the moment.
“You need a specific set of skills.
And, in that sense, it’s a unique sport. It’s partly physical and also mental.
“In terms of the physical training the neck is the most important thing. It gets a lot of wear and tear.
“Max automatically trains his during the season – sitting in the car – that’s why we don’t do too much once we get underway.
“We do that in different ways. Using an elastic band or neck plank. Maybe people have seen pictures of Max sitting on a chair on his balcony using the board.
“We also do reaction games, with light switches and boxing exercises. Max also juggles – it’s good for his eye co-ordination.
“Before the race starts we do exercises to wake up his muscles – probably around 40 minutes or so before the start.
“But he’s so focused then. I’ll be taking care of everything he needs so he can focus on one thing – racing.”
Meanwhile, Ferrari title contender Charles Leclerc will start from the back of the grid in today’s race.
The governing FIA said Ferrari had used a fourth engine, one more than the rules allow for the whole season.