re: Are F1 drivers athletes?

I used to race Rotax Karts about 20 years ago, and even those beat the crap out of your body if you aren't physically prepared. Going up to 105 MPH 2-3" off the ground in karts through banked turns, s-curves, etc. First time I ever hit the track was outside of DFW and only drove for about an hours. My ribs were so beat up I could barely breath for the next couple of days. And wearing the firesuit, helmet, etc completely drains your body fluids. Saw people getting airlifted off multiple tracks after accidents. F1 guys are on an entirely different level of atheletic capability. My 2c.