Renault drivers enjoy a training session in Bahrain

Both race drivers, Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet, along with the team’s test and development drivers, Sakon Yamamoto and Romain Grosjean, were involved in the session as part of their preparations for the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend. The team’s third driver, Lucas Di Grassi, was the only driver unable to attend as he is carrying out a shakedown for the team today in the UK.

The drivers met up in the hotel restaurant for breakfast and a chat, before heading to the beach for a gentle warm-up in the early morning sunshine. Then it was time to get a little more serious as they moved to the gym for some weights resistance training and a cardiovascular workout. The drivers often train together, whether in the team’s Human Performance Centre in Enstone or before a race, and there is always a fun atmosphere as the drivers encourage each other.

Formula 1 driver fitness has always been important, never more so than today as the drivers must endure forces in the car of up to 5G. Handling an F1 car therefore requires supreme mental and physical stamina. While driving the car remains the best way to prepare for the demands of Grand Prix racing, regular gym sessions are an essential part of a driver’s preparation.

The drivers’ physios, Frabizio Borra and Gabriele Polcari, were also on hand this morning to oversee the training session. They are responsible for the physical conditioning of their respective drivers and for making sure they follow a nutritional diet over the weekend. Before qualifying that will consist of Parma ham and Parmesan cheese to give instant high energy, while on race day the drivers will have a pasta dish designed to give a more gradual energy release. This is in addition to the large amounts of water the drivers need to drink throughout the weekend, as they can lose up to 4 litres of fluid during a hot race.