Y - Issue 162 - March 22, 2011 - Y-oman.com

I joined Haitham and Maher on a gruelling
day of fitness and qualifying at Yas Island
last week. It is all part of the Formula
Gulf 1000 series. There is a focus on the
development of driver skills and media
skills, improvement of fitness, and drivers
are coached by the most experienced
professionals in the industry. I looked on as
Caveman Fitness – who recently impressed
F1’s Sebastian Vettel with a tailored fitness
programme – pushed the two Omani
drivers to the brink. Sweating profusely
and with muscle tissue literally on fire,
Maher crouches over and tells me, “This
is insane. They strapped this parachute to
me, and I have to sprint 100 metres each
way, five times!” As he runs the parachute
wrenches him left and right, and twists
his torso. He fights it and manages to
do it in an incredible time. On another
station swings Haitham. He is punching
into the coach, and as he tires he starts
to use his legs to knee into his imaginary
opponent. “I couldn’t time it. I was so tired
and frustrated with myself. I know I can
do better.” Haitham moves on to the next
obstacle for more torture.