FIA Academy Workshop 1 – Edinburgh – “It truly was an amazing couple of days”
| The 10 drivers in the 2013/14 FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy completed their first workshop following an intensive four days of training and education at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.Led by FIA Institute Performance Managers Alex Wurz and Robert Reid, working alongside Elite Sports Performance, the workshop was focused on fitness and nutrition and the key role this plays in being successful in top-level motor sport. The participants were measured and tested in their levels of fitness alongside their nutritional knowledge and mental aptitude. | |
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The opening day focused on establishing the physical strengths and weaknesses of each driver through a series of tests before receiving classroom tuition in sports psychology and behavioural psychometrics. It gave the Academy students the chance to understand the wide range of challenges that will face them, not only in the 2013 Academy but throughout their motor sport careers. South Africa’s Kelvin van der Linde added:
An early morning start began the second day as the drivers were stretched to their limits running up the highest peak in Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat. This stressed the importance of hard work and the need to push everyday if they are to attain their own goals in their careers. The drivers selected their own lunches using the nutritional knowledge they had received, before being tested physically in the 40-degree heat chamber on bikes and rowing machines. Using a series of cognitive ability tests, the drivers were made well aware of the value of proper rehydration as the deterioration in their abilities following an intensive hour in the heat chamber became clear. The final day of the workshop combined all the knowledge and advice they had gained so far to produce both fitness programmes and personal goals tailored to each individual’s specific needs. |
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| Alex Wurz said: “The workshop is structured to see the participants in a relaxed atmosphere but at times lots of physical and mental pressure is involved. That way we get to know them better and they start to learn a lot more. The information gained from this workshop is vital for upcoming sessions and coaching.”Robert Reid added: “It’s been great to finally meet all the Academy participants and get started with this years programme. Edinburgh has been about the guys getting to understand where they are in terms of their current levels of fitness, nutrition, hydration and preparation and setting some targets and goals for the next few months. Everyone has engaged really well with the experts on hand and it will be great to see the improvements over the next few workshops.”The next workshop will take place in Chamonix, France, in January. | |
