Formula One is an extreme sport and many have taken great measures to get an extra edge because marginal differences can make a huge impact on the performance outcome. One way could be doping by taking PEDs and steroids.
Another way could be taking extreme measures. In one such instance, retired Formula One champion Nico Rosberg made an unexpected revelation about why he had to withdraw from cycling in 2016. He claimed that cycling was causing him to develop leg muscles that would have a detrimental effect on his race performance.
Rosberg stated in an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt, “I had to give up cycling because my thighs were getting too big. In Formula One, you need to have thin legs because it affects the weight of the car. Lewis Hamilton has the perfect physique for a Formula One driver.”
Nico Rosberg gained 0.040s by losing 2 kg of leg muscle
The hair weighs ~50 grams, or 2.5% of 2 kg
This means that shaving off the hair will result in a gain of 2.5%/0.040s
That is = to 0.001sIn other words Fernando Alonso would have won the fastest lap today if he was bald https://t.co/q02NUHTFlM
— Aston Martin F1 updates (@startonpole) October 9, 2022
Physical fitness is critical in racing and cannot be overstated. To withstand the high G-forces and heat inside the cockpit, a driver’s body must be in peak form. Rosberg’s statement demonstrates how even seemingly innocuous activities like cycling can affect a driver’s performance. Doping, however, has not been that much of a problem in Formula One.
Regulations for doping in F1
The fundamental rationale for the Code and the FIA’s regulations is to guarantee fair competition, preserve the sport’s integrity, and safeguard drivers’ health. Doping is completely contrary to the spirit of sport, which is founded on ethics, honesty, respect, excellence, and teamwork.
These rules apply to all drivers, the driver supports personnel, and other people who are members of the FIA, ASNs, or other motorsport organizations. These individuals are considered to have agreed to and be bound by the anti-doping regulations, and they have deferred to the FIA’s power to enforce them. The regulations detail the jurisdiction of the hearing panels to decide cases and appeals filed under these anti-doping regulations, as well as the consequences for any violations.
Don’t do drugs, kids. #F1 pic.twitter.com/q5WL2PMYYH
— Racing Humour (@racinghumour) April 6, 2014
International-Level Drivers must follow the specific provisions in these anti-doping regulations that apply to them, such as testing, TUEs, whereabouts, and results management if they compete in competitions registered on the FIA International Sporting Calendar and included in the FIA Registered Testing Pool.
PEDs in F1 in the past
Although there have been no official positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs in Formula 1, some drivers have reportedly used Tacrine, a drug designed to treat Alzheimer’s disease, to improve their visual memory when memorizing complex circuits. Although Tacrine’s effects are beneficial, it is legal to use.
This raises questions about whether using the drug for performance enhancement qualifies as “doping.” While there has been no official evidence of doping in F1, former driver Stirling Moss admitted to using amphetamines and other substances in the past to stay awake. Moss said that at the time, taking these substances was not considered doping. The only case of doping in an FIA championship was in 2002 when Czech driver Tomas Enge tested positive for marijuana, leading him to lose his F3000 championship title.
Doping in F1
One of the primary reasons for the lack of doping scandals in F1 is the strict anti-doping regulations and testing protocols in place. The FIA has a comprehensive anti-doping program that includes year-round testing, both in and out of competition. The drivers are required to provide their whereabouts to the anti-doping agency, making it easier for them to be tested at any time.
Former FIA President Jean Todt said, “The anti-doping program has been designed to ensure that the FIA has a robust system in place to detect any attempts to cheat through the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Our priority is to protect the health and safety of the drivers and maintain the integrity of the sport.”
The FIA also works closely with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to ensure that their program is in line with international standards. The FIA’s regulations are based on the World Anti-Doping Code, which sets out the rules and guidelines for anti-doping programs in sports.
Another reason for the lack of these scandals in F1 is the nature of the sport itself. Unlike sports like cycling or athletics, where doping can provide a significant advantage, doping in F1 is unlikely to give a driver a significant advantage.
As F1 driver Jenson Button said, “There’s not one substance that will make a driver go faster. It’s a mental game. If you’re not mentally strong, then you’re not going to succeed.” F1 drivers need to be mentally sharp and focused to perform at their best. Doping can have adverse effects on mental performance, which can be detrimental to a driver’s performance. Additionally, the physical demands of F1 require a high level of endurance and strength, which cannot be achieved through doping alone.
Despite the strict anti-doping regulations and the nature of the sport, there have been rumors and allegations of drug usage in F1. In 2019, former F1 driver Alex Wurz said that some drivers were taking drugs to improve their performance. Wurz said, “There are some substances that could enhance your mental strength, your ability to focus, and stay alert, which is crucial in F1.”
Former F1 driver Mark Webber said, “I never saw any evidence of doping in F1. It’s just not part of the culture of the sport. F1 is about pushing yourself to the limit and competing fairly.”
The lack of drug scandals in F1 can also be attributed to the culture of the sport. F1 has always placed a high value on fair play and sportsmanship. The drivers are role models for millions of fans worldwide, and they understand the importance of competing fairly and maintaining the integrity of the sport.