Many special relationships form in the F1 paddock, but maybe none more so than that between a driver and his trainer. Unique, intriguing and some even a little weird – I recently got an eye-opening insight into some of these wicked bromances.
They say behind every powerful man there is a strong woman. Well, in F1, behind every great driver stands an excellent (and usually very muscly) trainer. They are the men behind the men, both inflicting pain and soothing it. When the storm comes, they bring the calm and there are no lengths they won’t go to, to prepare their drivers for every looming battle. They are the trainers of F1!
Martin Poole \ Trainer to Nico Hulkenberg
Sitting across from the energetic and highly-knowledgeable Martin in what is known as “The Man Cave” for him and Nico, I was verbally immersed in their workout world. As I admired Nico’s seriously funky sneakers on the rack next to me, the physio and trainer explained that The Hulk was looking for a strong person to back him both physically and mentally. Coming from many years working in the junior Formulas through his company Pro Performance, Martin took on this role with the German driver in 2016. It’s was a match made in heaven.
“He’s quite mature and has been in the sport a long time. He wanted someone else to be with him who also knew the sport, but a mature person to bounce things off,” recalls Martin. “The consistency with the routine that I help him prepare allows him that platform to get him into the right mental state. Sounds like I’m blowing smoke up his ass but he’s one of the best drivers I’ve worked with on the mental side because he’s very, very good at getting himself in that zone. Sometimes it’s instant, sometimes it affects the warmup because he knows he feels ready and we just go. I just help create an environment.”
Martin sees himself as “the constant factor”. The guy that’s always there and only at the track for Nico. For an F1 driver Martin highlights the importance of having a regular and stable person in your corner every race.
“I’m just here for him. Sometimes after (bad) situations he wants to talk it through with me, sometimes he doesn’t, but he knows I’m here. I’m always really proud of him.”
And what does he like most about the job? “For me it’s the competition side, it’s always great to help people achieve their goals but in our industry what’s really hard to find is when you’re working with an athlete … in the competition environment. And that’s the part I really enjoy. Being the last person to talk to him before he gets in the car before qualifying, it’s a really intense, high pressure situation. Being that close to competition, for me that’s the biggest thrill.”
Mid-interview Nico himself walked in, introduced himself and stated cheekily “you’re very lucky, no-one’s allowed in ‘The Man Cave’.” I’ll remember that for next time!
Nico’s Training
With Poole based in the UK and Nico in Monaco it’s a little different to other driver-trainer situations, but one that works well. They are in contact every day but as a highly self-motivated person, Nico is given his training plan and goes full steam ahead on his solo workout. The pair can often be seen kicking a football back and forth or enjoying a bit of fun banter just before the Renault driver jumps in the car, to ease the tension. Martin runs Nico through a physical warm-up, in-particular the neck, before the race, to increase blood flow to muscles he’s about to use.
“He’s a bit of an all-rounder,” says Martin. “He would prefer to do sports in the form of tennis, that he enjoys. He doesn’t like the rower because it’s hard, he’s not a big fan of that. Everything else he’s quite good at.”
Diet
Good routine of food at track, balanced. Eating clean, macro nutrients. Support from the Renault kitchen is mega, they’ll make us anything, Italian chef is amazing, spoilt. Use electrolytes every race. Should need to over-supplement because he eats healthily and get a lot of things from natural source.
Nico says…
“Martin's very important for my race weekend. He helps with both mind and body and provides a vital element for my preparations over the season. He's a great bloke too.”
Tips for trainers wanting to work in F1:
“Start in the junior Formulas, that’s what I did back in 2002. 5-6 years after starting (the company) we just started to work in motorsport. Understand those sports, how the physical and mental aspects change as you get closer and closer to F1 and just build your way up. Don’t expect to come straight in at this level. Put the time in, learn the sport, the whole sport not just F1. Work hard.”
