McLaren’s Lando Norris was pushed to his limits during rigorous 12-hour testing at Swansea University.

Lando Norris going through his extraordinary fitness regime (Image: Jam Press/@LandoNorris)

F1 sensation Lando Norris’ remarkable fitness regimen during his quest to become world champion has been unveiled. The racing prodigy underwent intensive assessments at a specialist facility to propel him towards F1 supremacy. Norris, 26, secured the Drivers’ World Championship on Sunday by a margin of two points following a third-place finish in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

That came after he dedicated countless hours at Swansea University’s Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine research centre, examining everything from his metabolic function and grip strength to neck endurance and reflexes. Swansea University stands amongst the pioneering institutions globally conducting research within the elite levels of motorsport, boasting a dedicated full-time research associate for such assessments.

The centre’s objective focuses on investigating physiological, athletic and cognitive improvements for motorsport competitor performance. “Assessment day is a gruesome day of many different tests to see my strengths and weaknesses,” Norris explained before the evaluations eight months prior. “It tests how my body is performing through the year and anything that might cost me lap time.”

Jon Malvern serves as Norris’s performance coach and accompanies the McLaren sensation around the globe. He forged the collaboration between his firm, Pioneered Athlete Performance, and Swansea University’s initiative.

He explained: “Already, we have enhanced our comprehension of elite driver physiology, investigated methods for optimally preparing for race demands and gained knowledge on implementing race day management strategies, such as hydration and heat stress.

“Having a deep-thinking multidisciplinary research team away from the racetrack allows me and all PAP practitioners to make better informed decisions on driver performance preparation in the field.

“This in turn allows our drivers to better withstand the hostile race environment and ensure it does not limit them from fully applying their driving abilities.”

Lando Norris went through rigorous testing at a special facility to help push him to the top of F1 (Image: Jam Press/@LandoNorris)

F1 drivers are subjected to rigorous neck strength testing so they can cope with the G forces of driving such fast cars (Image: Jam Press/@LandoNorris)

Christian Vassalo, who is part of the project and works as a sports science lecturer at Swansea, commented: “Spanning a 12-hour day Lando underwent a rigorous battery of tests, methodically selected by the PACE-MAP research team.

“He demonstrated the ability to tolerate extreme discomfort with outstanding physical and mental fortitude, commensurate with a ‘champion mentality’. He left us in awe of his efforts.

“It was a privilege for the PACE-MAP research team to welcome Lando Norris and Jon Malvern to Swansea University and our A-STEM laboratories.”

Following the extensive testing, a drained Norris remarked: “This is my day done. I’m dead – but for good reasons. I don’t feel good but I’ve got a nice journey home now. It’s been an amazing day.”