It started when Scott Davis, a former TOPGUN pilot and instructor, commented in a podcast that fighter pilots used their hands when explaining their intricate flying maneuvers to each other. It reminded me of a classic photo from the 2000 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa in which, after the race, Mika Häkkinen explained to Michael Schumacher how he passed him, quite audaciously, on lap 41. This led to a recent LinkedIn post where I included that photo side by side with one of Scott and I recreating it. That post has had a huge reception.
So, given Scott’s experience in the fighter pilot’s seat and my Formula 1 expertise, we decided to dive further into this subject, exploring how fighter pilots and F1 drivers achieve high performance under stressful situations. Here is what we uncovered.
Pre-Mission and Pre-Race
Strategy: Prior to take off, fighter pilots discuss the mission objectives with their wingmen (teammates). They also discuss “What-If” scenarios knowing that while flying in combat, having to react to the unexpected - number of adversaries and their tactics, weather, plus changes in friendly force composition - is more the norm than not. In F1, there similar briefings before a race. Plans A, B, and C are discussed and agreed based on the many variables that can happen during a race including accidents that lead to safety cars, mechanical failure, tire degradation, weather conditions, and timing of competitor pit stops.
Physical Demands
G-Forces: Both fighter pilots and F1 drivers experience significant gravitational forces (G-forces). F1 drivers can endure forces exceeding 5Gs during sharp turns and braking over a race that can last up to two hours. Fighter pilots can experience even greater G-forces (up to 9Gs) but in shorter bursts during missions that can be several hours long, especially if air-to-air refueling is part of the mission. It requires extensive physical conditioning to withstand these forces without losing consciousness or control.
Endurance and Strength: The physical toll on both is immense. F1 drivers must maintain core and neck strength to manage the forces acting on their bodies during races. In addition, while racing at hot and humid circuits, a F1 driver’s cockpit can reach over 50 degrees Celsius (over 122F) and they can lose 3-4kg (6-9 lbs) during the race. Fighter pilots undergo rigorous training to sustain their physical fitness and handle the demands of high-G flight. During a Basic Fighter Maneuvers (dogfighting) training mission where there is constant maneuvering, pilots end the mission drenched in sweat.
Mental Acuity
Split-Second Decision Making: Both roles require exceptional decision-making skills under pressure. F1 drivers must make rapid judgments about speed, positioning, and strategy while racing at speeds over 300 km/h (over 200 mph). Fighter pilots similarly need to assess situations quickly, especially during combat or evasive maneuvers. Like on the racetrack, milliseconds can determine outcomes, but in the case of fighter pilots at closing speeds over 2600 km/h (1600 mph) when they approach their opponents.
Focus and Concentration: The ability to concentrate intensely is crucial for both F1 drivers and fighter pilots. They must remain acutely aware of their surroundings, whether navigating a racetrack or flying in combat scenarios. This includes processing information from various sources, such as team communications for F1 drivers or sensor and tactical data for pilots. An F1 driver’s steering wheel has over 25 buttons and dials that can alter the car’s performance. Fighter pilots have almost as many switches on the control stick and throttles that they manipulate, almost by instinct, to optimize the performance of the aircraft and its sensors under constantly changing conditions.
While comparing the two, we also found it interesting that in addition to simulators, pilots do something called “chair flying” where they sit in a room and imagine they are in the cockpit reacting to different situations encountered related to their opponents and the tactical situation. F1 drivers too, have the remarkable ability to sit in a driving position imagine driving any one of 24 tracks as if it were happening pointing out key landmarks on the circuit, describing optimal driving lines, alternating their footwork on brake and throttle, all while shifting up and down the gears.
Training and Skill Development
Specialized Training: Both professions require extensive training to develop their specific skills. F1 drivers spend years honing their driving techniques on the track and in simulators to gain greater understanding of their cars’ dynamics. Fighter pilots undergo rigorous military training that includes simulations and actual flight hours to master aircraft control.
Adaptability: The ability to adapt to changing conditions is vital in both fields. F1 drivers must adjust their strategies based on track conditions, tire performance, and competitor behaviour. Fighter pilots similarly need to adapt quickly to evolving combat situations or unexpected challenges during flight.
Costs: According to the RAND Corporation it takes close to $11 million to train an F-22 pilot to just a basic level of qualification, and for that pilot to reach a competency to lead large formations in combat can reach up to eight years. For a young driver starting in karting and moving up through the various Formula divisions until they reach Formula 1, it is estimated a minimum of $10 million is required assuming they move up the ranks steadily. With more young drivers getting their shot at F1 and assuming they started karting at 8 years of age, we are looking at a trajectory of 10 years.
Equipment and Environment
High-Performance Machines: Both operate high-performance machines designed for speed and agility. F1 cars are engineered for maximum downforce and speed on tracks, while fighter jets are built for manoeuvrability and speed in the air. Each requires a deep understanding of the machine's capabilities and limitations. And both pilots and drivers need to develop an intuitive feeling, beyond just the necessary mechanical and intellectual mastery, to operate their machines and bodies to the limit to achieve victory.
Safety Measures: Safety is paramount in both fields. F1 has made significant advancements in safety technology, such as the halo device that protects drivers' heads during crashes. Like F1 drivers, fighter pilots wear fire retardant clothing and gloves. Drivers must be able to extricate themselves from their cars in less than five seconds in the case of an accident. Fighter jets are equipped with ejection seats and and newer fighters have systems to automatically recover an aircraft in danger of ground collision.
Post-Mission and Post-Race
Debrief: After every exercise, fighter pilots and their wingmen will meet to review their experiences in an open exchange of information. What went well and what can be improved upon. Significantly, in a traditional organization that is build around hierarchy, there is no rank during these debriefings. In the interest of performance excellence and safety, all opinions are treated with respect. Similarly, during race weekends, F1 teams meet after every practice session, qualifying, and the race itself to review performance. Anyone responsible for getting the best performance out of the car will attend in person or virtually. As in the military, anyone can raise questions or concerns; and a set format is used to quickly guide the discussion through relevant inputs.
In summary, while fighter pilots and F1 drivers operate in different environments—air versus track—they share remarkable similarities in terms of physical requirements, mental challenges, training processes, and the high-performance nature of their respective crafts. Both roles exemplify elite athleticism combined with technical skill and acute situational awareness.
Through effective collaboration and communication between the team (wingmen, battle mangers, engineers, mechanics, strategists, etc.) and the individual in the cockpit (whether aircraft or car) fighter pilots and F1 drivers epitomize what is required to achieve performance excellence.
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