Max Verstappen's brutal training footage shows how hard core F1 drivers are

Max Verstappen‘s preparations to defend his Formula 1 World Championship title are well underway.

The Red Bull star snatched glory in 2021 in the most dramatic of fashion, ousting long-time rival Lewis Hamilton in controversial circumstances.

Abu Dhabi-gate will go down as one of the most historic days in the history of the sport, but, sadly, it is not because of Verstappen’s debut title win.

The fall out from that hotly-contested Michael Masi decision has rumbled long into 2022 with the race-director eventually being relieved of his role last week.

Thankfully, with Lewis Hamilton back and raring to go, all eyes are turning to the new season as the teams launch and test their sparkly new toys.

Amongst all the glitzy launches and slick social media campaigns, the drivers are getting themselves back in shape as they await yet another long, gruelling season behind the wheel.

With 23 races scheduled, it is the sort of bumper season that could take a heavy toll on the teams and drivers.

No one knows that better than the drivers themselves and so they are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to ensure they are at the physical nadir for 2022.

That takes incredibly hard work, though and doesn’t comprise of your everyday jaunt to the gym.

In fact, the specialised exercises an F1 driver needs to perform, in order to be ready for the rigours of G-force exerted on their bodies, are absolutely brutal.

Red Bull today shared a clip of Verstappen going through some of those workouts and it just goes to show how hardcore they are as athletes.

F1 drivers don’t get enough respect