Jenson Button is widely considered to be one of the fittest Formula One drivers largely thanks to his love of training for and competing in triathlons. The Briton is a highly competent amateur competitor but how do his fitness levels compare to the professionals?
F1 driver takes on Olympic triathletes —
Jenson Button is widely considered to be one of the fittest Formula One drivers largely thanks to his love of training for and competing in triathlons. The Briton is a highly competent amateur competitor but how do his fitness levels compare to the professionals?
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Before heading off to the Singapore Grand Prix, Button dropped by the GSK Human Performance Lab (HPL) to undergo a series of physical and cognitive tests against two of the world's best triathletes -- British brothers Alistair (right) and Jonathan Brownlee.
F1 driver takes on Olympic triathletes —
Before heading off to the Singapore Grand Prix, Button dropped by the GSK Human Performance Lab (HPL) to undergo a series of physical and cognitive tests against two of the world's best triathletes -- British brothers Alistair (right) and Jonathan Brownlee.
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Alistair, 26, and Jonathan, 24, hail from Yorkshire in northeast England and claimed Olympic gold and bronze respectively at the London Olympics in 2012. Both brothers and Button are using the HPL, which is funded by pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline, to fine-tune their fitness.
F1 driver takes on Olympic triathletes —
Alistair, 26, and Jonathan, 24, hail from Yorkshire in northeast England and claimed Olympic gold and bronze respectively at the London Olympics in 2012. Both brothers and Button are using the HPL, which is funded by pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline, to fine-tune their fitness.
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The trio competed in three performance tests -- two physical and one cognitive. Button and the younger Brownlee had a cycling test in the HPL Enviro Chamber, which was set to a temperature of 35C (95F) and 70% humidity -- conditions that replicate the typical weather in Singapore during September and at the top end of what the Brownlees can expect at the Rio Olympics in two years' time.
F1 driver takes on Olympic triathletes —
The trio competed in three performance tests -- two physical and one cognitive. Button and the younger Brownlee had a cycling test in the HPL Enviro Chamber, which was set to a temperature of 35C (95F) and 70% humidity -- conditions that replicate the typical weather in Singapore during September and at the top end of what the Brownlees can expect at the Rio Olympics in two years' time.
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As you might expect, Button had to work harder than Brownlee, but results showed that his core body temperature was lower of the two when pedaling at lower speeds. HPL scientists believe this could be because Button is more used to working in the often extreme heat of an F1 cockpit where temperatures average 50C (122F).
F1 driver takes on Olympic triathletes —
As you might expect, Button had to work harder than Brownlee, but results showed that his core body temperature was lower of the two when pedaling at lower speeds. HPL scientists believe this could be because Button is more used to working in the often extreme heat of an F1 cockpit where temperatures average 50C (122F).
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"Going head-to-head against two of Britain's greatest Olympians has been an amazing experience," Button said. "You have to be very fit to cope with the physical demands of F1, but these guys were incredible in the pool and on the bike when we took the tests."
F1 driver takes on Olympic triathletes —
"Going head-to-head against two of Britain's greatest Olympians has been an amazing experience," Button said. "You have to be very fit to cope with the physical demands of F1, but these guys were incredible in the pool and on the bike when we took the tests."
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Button produced one of the fastest reaction times ever recorded in cognition testing at the HPL and made no errors. "The results suggest that superior reaction times and efficient information processing may be core cognitive skills for Formula One drivers," the HPL stated.
F1 driver takes on Olympic triathletes —
Button produced one of the fastest reaction times ever recorded in cognition testing at the HPL and made no errors. "The results suggest that superior reaction times and efficient information processing may be core cognitive skills for Formula One drivers," the HPL stated.
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The McLaren pit crew in action at the Belgian Grand Prix last month. The HPL's work will help not just Button but the engineers and mechanics who play such a vital role on race days. "The team need to be fit -- they work such long hours, the mechanics especially have got to be on the ball," Button says. "We've got to be able to push them hard and get the best out of them every second."
F1 driver takes on Olympic triathletes —
The McLaren pit crew in action at the Belgian Grand Prix last month. The HPL's work will help not just Button but the engineers and mechanics who play such a vital role on race days. "The team need to be fit -- they work such long hours, the mechanics especially have got to be on the ball," Button says. "We've got to be able to push them hard and get the best out of them every second."
Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Jonathan Brownlee and Button undergo sweat-patch testing following their arduous cycling test. The HPL scrutinizes sporting performance in six key areas: stamina, strength, cognition, hydration, metabolism and recovery.
F1 driver takes on Olympic triathletes —
Jonathan Brownlee and Button undergo sweat-patch testing following their arduous cycling test. The HPL scrutinizes sporting performance in six key areas: stamina, strength, cognition, hydration, metabolism and recovery.
On Edition: Dan Towers
HPL scientists said Button has a very effective swimming stroke but couldn't match the efficiency of Olympic gold medalist Alistair Brownlee. Button's strokes measured an average of 1.66 meters while Brownlee averaged 1.80 meters.
F1 driver takes on Olympic triathletes —
HPL scientists said Button has a very effective swimming stroke but couldn't match the efficiency of Olympic gold medalist Alistair Brownlee. Button's strokes measured an average of 1.66 meters while Brownlee averaged 1.80 meters.
On Edition: Dan Towers