26 replies to this topic

[JtP1]

Why is it that some, in fact most F1 drivers appear not to shave during the days of practice and the race. I would have thought the balaclava would have made it extremely itchy, or is it the reverse?

[lambylamby]

Why is it that some, in fact most F1 drivers appear not to shave during the days of practice and the race. I would have thought the balaclava would have made it extremely itchy, or is it the reverse?

dont shave, put one on and run around your street for 2 hours, then report back here with your confirmation.

[Fastcake]

There's obviously no discomfort.

[Tolyngee]

Why is it that some, in fact most F1 drivers appear not to shave during the days of practice and the race. I would have thought the balaclava would have made it extremely itchy, or is it the reverse?

Just curious, does this mean you think no one wears underwear (tighty whities) or that everyone shaves their genitals?

[plastik2k9]

If anything, shaving would be more likely to lead to irritation.

[JtP1]

Just curious, does this mean you think no one wears underwear (tighty whities)

Coulthard was known for not wearing the best of underwear at one time.

Edited by JtP1, 10 May 2010 - 18:05.

[Sakae]

dont shave, put one on and run around your street for 2 hours, then report back here with your confirmation.

[GiaRossi]

Why is it that some, in fact most F1 drivers appear not to shave during the days of practice and the race. I would have thought the balaclava would have made it extremely itchy, or is it the reverse?

They know Uncle Bernie isn't watching until Sunday

[Andrew Hope]

My beard has never made my face itchy inside a helmet, although I never wore a balaclava.

Edited by andrew., 10 May 2010 - 19:06.

[MadYarpen]

[Fabien Pousset]

i once heard that it was a common practice among sportsmen not to shave for the duration of a sporting even (for instance, a tennis tournament).
Apparently, the growing beard adds to the nervous influx, hence helping the athlete to stay "on the edge" as the competition unfolds.

Mostly psychological I guess, but you never know. Success in high-level sports is a matter of details, isn't it?

[Fastcake]

Well Vettel never shaved for all of last season.... Unless that was just him coming out of Puberty of course

[Panktej]

Kimi never had any beard....

I have hardly seen Fernando with a beard on race day...

I have never seen Massa, Webber, Hamilton, Kubica, Schumacher with a beard..

The only drivers i have seen with a beard are Nick Heidfeld, and Jenson Button.

[postajegenye]

I have hardly seen Fernando with a beard on race day...

Look at the cap

[FlashMaster]

[Sakae]

That cat looks really unhappy with the attention it had received.

[Sakae]

i once heard that it was a common practice among sportsmen not to shave for the duration of a sporting even (for instance, a tennis tournament).
Apparently, the growing beard adds to the nervous influx, hence helping the athlete to stay "on the edge" as the competition unfolds.

Mostly psychological I guess, but you never know. Success in high-level sports is a matter of details, isn't it?

Strange observation. Since I shave at least once, every day, I am totally in discomfort whole day, if I don't shave. It happened on Sunday when I decided to get lazy, not shave, and by lunch time I was out of my skin.

[Fastcake]

That cat looks really unhappy with the attention it had received.

Fair enough

[Melbourne Park]

dont shave, put one on and run around your street for 2 hours, then report back here with your confirmation.

But don't drop into a 7-11 shop while your away ...

[midgrid]

http://forums.autosp...howtopic=101708

[223]

Beard growing may have started with hockey: Playoff Beard

[Tenmantaylor]

Shaving is overrated. Id only do it everyday if I had to for my job. F1 drivers are doing something they love and should be themselves, not some corporate face. Yeah maybe shave daily when you bag the Gillette deal but until then keep it real.

[ff1600]

How many of them are old enough to shave or even need to shave? The days of the Mansell hairy lip are over.

[klyster]

The days of the Mansell hairy lip are over.

Thank goodness for that!

Except for Movember, then retrospective facial hair is acceptable.

[Marbles]

Strange observation. Since I shave at least once, every day, I am totally in discomfort whole day, if I don't shave. It happened on Sunday when I decided to get lazy, not shave, and by lunch time I was out of my skin.

Actually, it's not all that strange. It's a custom that goes back to the Classical period.

I'm a bit of a boxing fan and many of today's boxing superstitions can be found in Greek boxing--abstaining from sex, diets, etc.

Shaving is a recent fad, almost as recent as the automobile. Hence, the prevalence of shaved drivers is a drop in the ocean of bearded atheletes, historically speaking.

As a veteran of many helmet-wearing or tape your ears up sports, I can assure you that shaving your face with a hair trimmer (and thereby preserving a permanent 10 o'clock shadow) makes a substantial difference.

Edit: Before I go, great question! Nevermind the "pancake with a bunny picture" crowd. I enjoy these "inside baseball" questions. Personally, I have great faith in my road-going fuel cell, so I've always done my track days in blue jeans/shorts and a T-shirt. There are some fast drivers in the Nomex crowd, but joining them would kill my lap times--they feel comfortable wearing Nomex, I'd feel like a moron. Much less a balaclava. Racing is all about psychology, which brings us back to boxing.

Edited by Marbles, 13 May 2010 - 05:46.