Jump to content


Photo
- - - - -

Should any 17-year-old be physically capable of racing in F1?


  • Please log in to reply
156 replies to this topic

Poll: Should any 17-year-old be physically capable of racing in F1? (191 member(s) have cast votes)

Should a 17-year-old be physically capable of racing in F1?

  1. Yes (124 votes [64.92%])

    Percentage of vote: 64.92%

  2. No (61 votes [31.94%])

    Percentage of vote: 31.94%

  3. Other (6 votes [3.14%])

    Percentage of vote: 3.14%

Vote Guests cannot vote

#1 Disgrace

Disgrace
  • Member

  • 31,165 posts
  • Joined: January 10

Posted 19 August 2014 - 07:47

Max Verstappen will race in F1 next season at the age of 17, beating current record holder Alguersuari (at 19) by over a year.

 

Should a 17-year-old be physically capable of racing in F1 regardless of talent?

 

If the perceived talent is there, does it matter?

 

Does this announcement say anything about the physical demands of F1, or is age purely arbitrary?



Advertisement

#2 aray

aray
  • Member

  • 5,779 posts
  • Joined: September 09

Posted 19 August 2014 - 07:58

physically capable,yes....but he will have to cope with tremendous mental pressure..if car is somehow good,he may cope;but with a shitty car everything can take a nosedive for him...



#3 Jackmancer

Jackmancer
  • Member

  • 3,226 posts
  • Joined: September 09

Posted 19 August 2014 - 08:04

Romelu Lukaku was Belgians topscorer at the age of 16. 



#4 Seanspeed

Seanspeed
  • Member

  • 21,814 posts
  • Joined: October 08

Posted 19 August 2014 - 08:06

17 is mentally young, but physically, a person can be very well developed by then.

#5 teejay

teejay
  • Member

  • 6,129 posts
  • Joined: May 09

Posted 19 August 2014 - 08:06

Lebron James hit the NBA at 17, and he was more than physically ready

 

He will need a training regime till he starts the season though.



#6 Cyanide

Cyanide
  • Member

  • 5,299 posts
  • Joined: October 11

Posted 19 August 2014 - 08:14

Physique shouldn't be a concern. Daniil Kvyat is basically a skeleton driving an F1 car. Sure, you need to have a Hulk neck and some physical strength, but that's nothing you can't achieve these days with diet and proper training, especially if you're provided with a nutritionist and coach. 

 

The real concern is mental capacity. Decision making, temperament, ability to handle pressure both on and off track. That's the real test right there for a 17 year old. 



#7 Kenstate

Kenstate
  • Member

  • 375 posts
  • Joined: May 14

Posted 19 August 2014 - 08:16

his neck needs to be strong enough to do this

 



#8 PayasYouRace

PayasYouRace
  • Racing Sims Forum Host

  • 45,703 posts
  • Joined: January 10

Posted 19 August 2014 - 08:17

Physically he should be OK. I worry about whether he'd be mentally mature enough to handle it.



#9 Jackmancer

Jackmancer
  • Member

  • 3,226 posts
  • Joined: September 09

Posted 19 August 2014 - 08:21

 

The real concern is mental capacity. Decision making, temperament, ability to handle pressure both on and off track. That's the real test right there for a 17 year old. 

 

True, when I was 17, I was doing lots of stupid things  :drunk:



#10 Buttoneer

Buttoneer
  • Admin

  • 19,094 posts
  • Joined: May 04

Posted 19 August 2014 - 08:26

We're all different so maybe he has what it takes.  Jos will have had him training for this from a young age.  As others have said, it's the mental pressure of suddenly getting into top-flight motorosport which will challenge him - constantly being on call for sponsors is going to be tough, plus that non-stop regime of fitness and simulator work.  However, it's worth looking at Nico Rosberg's comments on this sort of pressure and he believes having an F1 dad has helped in this area and that it was only the pressure of expecation which was a problem for him.



#11 Lee Nicolle

Lee Nicolle
  • Member

  • 11,036 posts
  • Joined: July 08

Posted 19 August 2014 - 08:37

If he has a level head he should do ok. I guess like most he has come up through years of Karts and lesser Formula. Though whose car is he driving? 

I would not expect miracles though for a season or two. That is if the car is any good.



#12 eronrules

eronrules
  • Member

  • 3,395 posts
  • Joined: January 12

Posted 19 August 2014 - 08:46

arnold scwarznegger at 17 (approx)

 

arnold-schwarzenegger-young-teenager-4.p



#13 eronrules

eronrules
  • Member

  • 3,395 posts
  • Joined: January 12

Posted 19 August 2014 - 08:48

the most important advantage Max has is that his father can advice him how not to make wrong decisions (like him) for his F1 career to hit a 'Dead end'

 

same with kevin magnussen. 



#14 noikeee

noikeee
  • Member

  • 23,156 posts
  • Joined: February 06

Posted 19 August 2014 - 08:58

There's plenty reasons why putting Max in a F1 car next year could be a bad idea.

 

This isn't one of them. F1 is a sport about technique, it's not arm wrestling or weight lifting.



#15 Jon83

Jon83
  • Member

  • 5,341 posts
  • Joined: November 11

Posted 19 August 2014 - 09:10

Physically yes. Although the question isn't unreasonable to ask.

 

Whether or not what Red Bull are doing is right is another matter.

 

I hope he does well and his career isn't thrown on the Red Bull scrapheap within 2-3 years like we've seen with others.


Edited by Jon83, 19 August 2014 - 09:10.


#16 Ferrari_F1_fan_2001

Ferrari_F1_fan_2001
  • Member

  • 3,420 posts
  • Joined: May 01

Posted 19 August 2014 - 09:22

Some people develop at different rates.

 

This is Mike Tyson at aged 17.

 



#17 McLarenNo1

McLarenNo1
  • Member

  • 145 posts
  • Joined: May 11

Posted 19 August 2014 - 09:30

Physically yes given how slow F1 cars are nowadays in the race, something like GP2 might be more physical.



#18 Brazzers

Brazzers
  • Member

  • 1,479 posts
  • Joined: March 14

Posted 19 August 2014 - 09:34

It's never been about physically strength and such, well not since the monsters in the 80s and before.

 

Most of the drivers are pure bones anyway, so more about mental and attitude .



#19 TecnoRacing

TecnoRacing
  • Member

  • 1,796 posts
  • Joined: September 01

Posted 19 August 2014 - 09:53

the most important advantage Max has is that his father can advice him how not to make wrong decisions (like him) for his F1 career to hit a 'Dead end'

 

same with kevin magnussen. 

 

Potentially an advantage - potentially a disadvantage. For all we know Jos could %^&* 'stage father' who gets a vicarious thrill in jamming his son into a F1 seat at their earliest possible opportunity...

 

Physically I don't see it as a problem though...Not on the international level but, Chris Amon was racing a 250F hard when he was only 17-18...



Advertisement

#20 byrkus

byrkus
  • Member

  • 1,011 posts
  • Joined: October 01

Posted 19 August 2014 - 10:07

Not to mention Rodríguez brothers...



#21 DILLIGAF

DILLIGAF
  • Member

  • 4,459 posts
  • Joined: July 10

Posted 19 August 2014 - 10:08

Physically? Absolutely

Psychologically? We'll have to wait and see.



#22 Ferrari_F1_fan_2001

Ferrari_F1_fan_2001
  • Member

  • 3,420 posts
  • Joined: May 01

Posted 19 August 2014 - 10:54

Nico Rosberg tested a Williams in 2003 when he was 17 or so. 

 

Does anyone know what kind of lap times he did?



#23 Skinnyguy

Skinnyguy
  • Member

  • 4,391 posts
  • Joined: August 10

Posted 19 August 2014 - 11:05

Why not? 17 yo youngsters participate in sport events WAY more demanding than F1 is or has ever been.

#24 Kerch

Kerch
  • Member

  • 1,224 posts
  • Joined: February 10

Posted 19 August 2014 - 11:09

arnold scwarznegger at 17 (approx)

 

arnold-schwarzenegger-young-teenager-4.p

 

FIA drug testing may be lax, but it's not that bad.



#25 rhukkas

rhukkas
  • Member

  • 2,764 posts
  • Joined: February 10

Posted 19 August 2014 - 11:10

This doesn't really make sense. Max was driving a KZ kart at 15. A kart which would put even the fittest athletes in a serious mess. Even F1 drivers have been known to struggle after a 20 minute stint in one. So really fitness is a meaningless term. It's just a matter of conditioning.



#26 ardbeg

ardbeg
  • Member

  • 2,876 posts
  • Joined: March 13

Posted 19 August 2014 - 11:14

We live longer, we peak earlier. Future generations will have a very long and boring middle age period.



#27 sopa

sopa
  • Member

  • 12,230 posts
  • Joined: April 07

Posted 19 August 2014 - 11:25

We live longer, we peak earlier. Future generations will have a very long and boring middle age period.

 

Interesting thought. Could have a point.:)

 

I also think Verstappen may be the kind of talent, or dare I say, human being, who has been developing faster than his mates. That's why he is viewed as ready for F1 already at 17. Therefore I think there is greater chance Max could peak in F1 at the age of 25, rather than 30-35 that most drivers do.



#28 ardbeg

ardbeg
  • Member

  • 2,876 posts
  • Joined: March 13

Posted 19 August 2014 - 11:33

 Therefore I think there is greater chance Max could peak in F1 at the age of 25, rather than 30-35 that most drivers do.

Poor Vergne never got a chance to peak, thrown out at 24.



#29 sopa

sopa
  • Member

  • 12,230 posts
  • Joined: April 07

Posted 19 August 2014 - 11:49

Poor Vergne never got a chance to peak, thrown out at 24.

 

Yeah, not everyone has the luxury of having a sutilesque solid midfield career.:)

 

I do think RB programme is a bit unique in the sense of having so many decent 22-25-year-old drivers left as "former F1 drivers" on their account. But what is the alternative to have a solid long-lasting F1 career? If you try outside a junior programme, then only big budget can help.

 

I also think Red Bull programme of pushing drivers into top flight at earlier age is pushing their sporting peak lower. I have a serious suspicion Vettel has peaked, and at an earlier age than other drivers usually do. Even Hamilton, from McLaren junior programme, has barely managed to exceed his 2007 - rookie year - level since then!



#30 Jimisgod

Jimisgod
  • Member

  • 4,954 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 19 August 2014 - 12:35

Phooey. Hamboy was better in 2012, but the car was unreliable.

F1 drivers seem to have 90% of their muscle mass in their neck, so I can't see how physical prowess will be a factor.

#31 HoldenRT

HoldenRT
  • Member

  • 6,773 posts
  • Joined: May 05

Posted 19 August 2014 - 13:16

Easy with the modern regs.  It's more a test of his decision making and life experience IMO.  Especially in terms of the international spotlight.  Physically it should be no problems.



#32 garagetinkerer

garagetinkerer
  • Member

  • 3,620 posts
  • Joined: October 13

Posted 19 August 2014 - 13:22

his neck needs to be strong enough to do this

 

Cars are hardly generating as many g's as before... i think with blown diffuser they were closer to cars in terms of demanding a bit from drivers physically, but now, the drivers suggest that they're easy to drive. You use boost on straightish bits, so power isn't all that much more than junior formula, so should be overall easier to cope. There are tricks to driving a formula 1 car better, but it is not as physical any more. IIRC, it is easier for a driver to make a switch to F1 compared to last 2 decades or so given characteristics of the car.


Edited by garagetinkerer, 19 August 2014 - 13:26.


#33 Jackmancer

Jackmancer
  • Member

  • 3,226 posts
  • Joined: September 09

Posted 19 August 2014 - 13:52

We live longer, we peak earlier. Future generations will have a very long and boring middle age period.

 

Well, theoretically he could go on to his 37th, race 400 Grand Prix, 



#34 Atreiu

Atreiu
  • Member

  • 17,232 posts
  • Joined: May 07

Posted 19 August 2014 - 14:15

We live longer, we peak earlier. Future generations will have a very long and boring middle age period.

 

Or they have a long and exciting period of maturity and capability while exploring space and going on safaris at terraformed Mars.



#35 Ellios

Ellios
  • Member

  • 3,068 posts
  • Joined: March 09

Posted 19 August 2014 - 14:20

Jack Miller is heading for premier class MotoGP at 19, Marc Márquez was a Multiple world champion at 20 years old, just kids really

 

I think Max Verstappen will be exciting to watch and great for F1



#36 sopa

sopa
  • Member

  • 12,230 posts
  • Joined: April 07

Posted 19 August 2014 - 14:31

Why not? 17 yo youngsters participate in sport events WAY more demanding than F1 is or has ever been.

 

It depends on the "demand" of the sport. For example young competitors are not so competitive in disciplines, where the emphasis is specifically on endurance. Because consistent endurance is something, which takes longer to develop and train to a very high level, as opposed to simple power or speed, which lasts in shorter amounts of time, or is delivered in separate spurts/sprints.

 

F1 nowadays though... is not so much an endurance sport any more, although it still demands consistent 1,5-hour effort without breaks. I think he could manage it, but I still don't think F1 is that particularly easy for young athletes to adapt to.



#37 ardbeg

ardbeg
  • Member

  • 2,876 posts
  • Joined: March 13

Posted 19 August 2014 - 14:34

Well, theoretically he could go on to his 37th, race 400 Grand Prix, 

Theoretically, yes, but that would not rhyme with earlier peaking :)
There are, at most times, at most places, more 13 year old than 37 year old so it will be hard to stay in the game if you are past your prime.



#38 zanquis

zanquis
  • Member

  • 5,174 posts
  • Joined: September 13

Posted 19 August 2014 - 14:36

I expect Max to handle fine, he might have to struggle with the heat at some tracks but overall I expect him to be ready on time. Driving F1 is not so heavy anymore, I remember his dad had to drive some cars without powersteering. Still I do not underestimate any sport where a person can lose so much of water during a race. It is a very heavy sport.

Biggest focus should be on the neck and then training the body how to deal with latic acid build up. (Formula one drivers are not allowed to feel cramps during a race as it is dangerous)

And well yeah he has the change to in theory brake all records offcourse. Would be a stunt if he would go on to be oldest F1 driver in history also. :rotfl:


Edited by zanquis, 19 August 2014 - 14:38.


#39 ardbeg

ardbeg
  • Member

  • 2,876 posts
  • Joined: March 13

Posted 19 August 2014 - 14:36

Or they have a long and exciting period of maturity and capability while exploring space and going on safaris at terraformed Mars.

rover_low_angle_200.jpg



Advertisement

#40 bub

bub
  • Member

  • 2,722 posts
  • Joined: July 11

Posted 19 August 2014 - 14:45

Quite a few tennis players have won grand slams at that age. Many football/soccer players play at the top level at that age.



#41 MikeV1987

MikeV1987
  • Member

  • 6,371 posts
  • Joined: July 12

Posted 19 August 2014 - 15:00

Absolutely, he has gotten this far so why not? their are plenty of people that started at that age in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL etc and cope just fine.


Edited by MikeV1987, 20 August 2014 - 02:07.


#42 Afterburner

Afterburner
  • RC Forum Host

  • 9,125 posts
  • Joined: January 11

Posted 19 August 2014 - 15:56

I'm actually not surprised that we're having this discussion--just that we're not having it about China. :p

#43 SonJR

SonJR
  • Member

  • 441 posts
  • Joined: March 13

Posted 19 August 2014 - 16:05

Max - like his father - is a pretty big and stocky dude, and he might even still be growing! I remember him saying he can't train too much currently out of fear of becoming to bulky and heavy, so he shouldn't have trouble getting ready for the physical part. As for the mental aspects, time will tell.



#44 mclarensmps

mclarensmps
  • Member

  • 8,597 posts
  • Joined: February 02

Posted 19 August 2014 - 16:14

Romelu Lukaku was Belgians topscorer at the age of 16. 

 

Romelu Lukaku doesn't drive around a football pitch at 200mph either. The cars are too easy to drive. 



#45 Skinnyguy

Skinnyguy
  • Member

  • 4,391 posts
  • Joined: August 10

Posted 19 August 2014 - 16:15

It depends on the "demand" of the sport. For example young competitors are not so competitive in disciplines, where the emphasis is specifically on endurance. Because consistent endurance is something, which takes longer to develop and train to a very high level, as opposed to simple power or speed, which lasts in shorter amounts of time, or is delivered in separate spurts/sprints.

 

F1 nowadays though... is not so much an endurance sport any more, although it still demands consistent 1,5-hour effort without breaks. I think he could manage it, but I still don't think F1 is that particularly easy for young athletes to adapt to.

 

It´s true what you say: in endurance sports it takes longer to peak, and you stay up there longer. Speaking in a general sense, because then tehre are weird individuals. I mean, there´ll never be a 18 yo TdF winner.

 

But F1 is not an endurance kind of effort at all even being generous. Its cardio aspect is not especially demanding, and the limiting factor are neck muscles, which just take some specific conditioning to build. 

 

Only a month to go for road cycling World championship. Juniors will race around 130 km, which is over 3 hours for them, 3 hours averaging around 40km/h at around 175 BPM average. They´re 17. If they can handle that, and what awaits for them in their first pro year aged 18, which is a living hell, they can handle F1 racing.



#46 JHSingo

JHSingo
  • Member

  • 8,930 posts
  • Joined: June 13

Posted 19 August 2014 - 17:17

The cars are too easy to drive. 

 

How do you know? Have you driven one?



#47 RealRacing

RealRacing
  • Member

  • 2,541 posts
  • Joined: February 12

Posted 19 August 2014 - 17:41

The way things are going, with kids playing simulator video games from so early and then being put in carts also from a very young age, I´d say soon they´ll be more suitable to drive an F1 car than a 30 year old...



#48 DS27

DS27
  • Member

  • 4,674 posts
  • Joined: February 11

Posted 19 August 2014 - 17:51

I think the more interesting question i whether you are mentally mature enough at 17.


Edited by DS27, 19 August 2014 - 17:52.


#49 Jackmancer

Jackmancer
  • Member

  • 3,226 posts
  • Joined: September 09

Posted 19 August 2014 - 18:14

In other news: a 15 year old was selected for the Norwegian football team. http://nos.nl/artike...t-15jarige.html



#50 A3

A3
  • Member

  • 32,100 posts
  • Joined: February 00

Posted 19 August 2014 - 18:32

I think the more interesting question i whether you are mentally mature enough at 17.

 

That pretty much depends on the person, doesn't it? Some people are not mature at 37 ( :drunk:) and others act like adults at the age of 15.

 

Anyway, you can enlist in the US Army at 17 and I'm guessing that it's tougher mentally if you're sent to Afghanistan at that age (or after a year of training) than to be a racing car driver.


Edited by A3, 19 August 2014 - 18:37.