Racing - Formula 1

Imagine this.

Blazing heat, heavy humidity, glaring lights, squealing tires, burning rubber, high speeds, curvy tracks (curvier than Pamela Anderson), fans waiting with bated breath, ear-shattering screaming engines, high adrenalin levels, innumerable laps on the track, all ending with split second photo finishes. That is Formula 1 racing in a nutshell.

Source : Google Images

All those broadcasts on TV does not even begin to capture the magic that is there in being physically present at the race.

The very first F1 race I was lucky enough to get a ticket for, gave me a glimpse of why there is so much hoo-ha about F1. Nothing, absolutely nothing, had prepared me for what I saw and heard. It turned out to be an experience of a lifetime. 

I came away with a new found understanding of those fans who watch each and every single practice session, each and every lap of the complete race, without batting their eyelids. My eyes were riveted to the track. I could not take my eyes of the track even for a second lest I miss the screaming machines zipping past. Pure adrenalin rush. I also found a new respect for the F1 drivers themselves.

A few days prior the race, during my walk, I chanced upon an F1 race car on display. This car belonged to one of the sponsors. I had a chance to view that car up close. I felt like a kid who had been given a new interesting toy. It was an awesome feeling to be so close to that sleek powerful machine. Given that I had never seen one before, it felt incredible.

Source : Google Images

Nearby, there was a contraption about 1.5 metres high and about 1 metre in width made of some aluminium pipes with several joints, several lights and sensor pads at each light, all connected to a computer. A person standing in front of it, at the word 'Go', has to touch the light which lights up and that could happen in any random order. Then the computer calculates how many lights were touched and how quickly, etc. So, basically a person has to be very alert and react quickly. This goes on for a minute or two, after which the score as regards reaction time and other parameters are given.

I got a pretty low score. I was told that the scores of F1 car drivers would all be very close to the highest levels, which means, they have to be very agile, have amazing eyesight & hearing, physically very fit, extremely alert, have very, very short reaction times, make split second decisions, have immense concentration, be aware of safety, perfect coordination of the senses, get used to the temperatures, heat, etc. And all these have to be maintained at peak condition throughout the race, not just for a minute or two, all the while manoeuvring the speeding complex beast. Just imagine THAT!

I wondered at the gruelling training that these F1 drivers must undergo to achieve such peak physical and mental fitness, to keep winning races consistently. And what kind of toll it would take on them and for how many years can they sustain such peak conditions.

Here's to all those Formula 1 drivers! Hats off to you!

And Michael Schumacher, get well soon.

Source : Google Images

For A-Z Challenge 2014