People may think race car drivers aren’t real athletes, but Helio Castroneves, who won the Indianapolis 500 for the third time on May 24, 2009, must be in excellent physical and mental shape to undergo that grueling race.
“We have to be in condition.” Castroneves said in an ESPN interview.
His exercise routine consists of swimming, boxing, swinging a tornado ball, doing sit ups while playing a game of concentration, running, tennis, and yoga.
He doesn’t do weight lifting because bulky muscles would get in his way while he’s trying to race.
About two hours before a race, he had a ‘'tiger' that contains bananas, frosted flakes and milk. He doesn’t eat a heavy meal before a race because it makes him sleepy.
He doesn’t smoke or drink.
But Castroneves says in the interview with ESPN “When you're not driving, your exercise routine doesn't provide the same movement.”
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He improves those muscles he uses during a race by doing repetitions. As a result, he improves with each race.
In Sao Paulo, Brazil, where Castroneves was born and raised, he began racing go-karts at age 14. Castroneves, 34, is 5 ft 8 in, 147 lb.
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Image credit: Sunday, May 24, 2009, AP Photo/Tom Strattman, AP Photo/Darron Cummings
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