Are F1 drivers actually fit, or is it more about skill?

[alexalbon23]

I was watching some onboard footage of an F1 race, and it hit me—how physically demanding is it to drive these cars? I know they deal with insane G-forces, but do they train like other athletes? Or is it more about reaction time and technical skill? Just wondering if an elite athlete from another sport could hop into an F1 car and do well or if there's a different kind of fitness required.

 

[patoowardfan]

F1 drivers are definitely elite athletes. The G-forces they endure, especially during braking and cornering, require serious neck and core strength. Their endurance is next level too—races can last nearly two hours in extreme heat, all while maintaining precision and focus. Reaction time and technical skill are huge, but without the physical conditioning, even top athletes from other sports would struggle to keep up.