Method E’s 2023 world champion Jake Dennis has been chasing a second title with Group Andretti, racing on tracks throughout the globe in places resembling Jeddah, Miami, and Monaco. Now readying for motion in Jakarta, the 6’ 2” driver managed to remain nonetheless lengthy sufficient as a way to speak coaching with M&F, revealing among the challenges that taller racers face.
“Yeah, I’m in all probability a bit too tall to be sincere,” jokes Dennis, the British driver who first started racing with karts aged 8 and by no means regarded again. “It undoubtedly has its limitations. Clearly, the largest one is becoming within the automobile,” he explains. “Usually, for many of my profession, it’s been fairly tight. To be honest, Method E have really made fairly an enormous automobile, so this one is a little bit of a luxurious for me proper now, not having my knees kind of bent loopy quantities or my elbows.”
Having competed in Method 3, Jake Dennis has additionally served as a growth driver, testing Method 1 automobiles, so he has examined all kinds of racing automobiles. The most recent Method E automobile is the GEN3 EVO, and whereas it could be a bit roomier than its conventional counterparts, this automobile can significantly transfer. In reality, with its functionality of 0-60mph in 1.82 seconds, the GEN 3 EVO accelerates 30% sooner than a present F1 automobile.
Nonetheless, house will not be the one problem that taller drivers like Dennis should navigate. “The opposite facet is my weight,” he tells M&F. “Attempting to maintain your weight down as a tour driver is at all times a bit bit difficult. They at all times set these weight limits based mostly across the common racing driver, which might be 5’ 8” to five’ 10”, so it’s been difficult.” The general weight for each driver and automobile at the moment sits at 856 kilograms (1,887 kilos). Usually, a person might want to weigh round 80 kilograms (176 kilos) as a way to keep throughout the guidelines, so being tall can undoubtedly have its drawbacks.
Method E
How Jake Dennis Trains for Method E
With no energy steering in Method E automobiles, Jake Dennis explains that his wrists and arms take essentially the most punishment throughout a race. “The load of steering is fairly extreme, particularly on the road circuits,” he explains, noting that muscle fatigue within the shoulders and forearms comes because of holding onto the wheel so intensely.
Whereas Dennis does prepare his core, he explains that the GEN3 EVO automobile seats match across the physique snugly, so the core is way extra supported than in different varieties of automobiles. “I simply typically attempt to at all times give attention to power,” he tells M&F. “Power coaching for me is an enormous factor.” Nonetheless, Dennis must preserve his physique mass in-check, so he doesn’t go too heavy on leg day. “I can’t afford to have large muscular legs, as a result of it might take me method over the burden restrict,” he notes.
Dennis splits his higher physique periods into chest/higher again and biceps/triceps days. To duplicate the changes required in a shifting automobile, he focuses on free weights relatively than the mounted path of machines. To construct his shoulders, Dennis performs pullups and bent over rows to arrange for the pains of the highway. The driving force does like to make use of cables, nevertheless, and performs workouts like pec flies. “I discover the cables tremendous helpful for focusing on particular areas,” he explains. Regardless of the transfer, Dennis says that he likes to coach near failure with out pushing himself to the restrict and risking harm.
How Jake Dennis Approaches Vitamin for Method E
Now dwelling in Monaco, Dennis reveals that the tradition of strolling has seen his step rely enhance from 10K within the UK to 18K in current occasions. “It’s a lot nicer to only be outdoors. The climate’s nice!” he beams. Burning these further energy has been an enormous increase for the racer, however he additionally must preserve a decent watch of his diet to remain inside these Method E weight limits. Dennis explains that his calorie consumption throughout the race season sits at round 1,800 energy, whereas ensuring to his 180 grams of protein.
“I attempt to keep away from carbs,” he provides. “My physique now could be so used to not having them, I don’t actually crave them.” This technique retains Dennis’ weight slightly below the 80-kilogram allocation for drivers. “I’m centered on my protein, a bit little bit of wholesome fat, after which I in all probability hit like possibly 30 to 50 grams of carbs a day, however actually not lots.”
Whereas Dennis does have management over his train regime, and his technique round diet, one facet of racing that he does get a say in is the warmth of the race. “It is extremely scorching in within the race automobile,” he shares. “Not simply inside a Method E automobile, however different sports activities automobiles too.” To organize, Dennis exposes himself to excessive temperatures through warmth chamber periods or the sauna. “Simply to attempt to get your physique acclimatized as finest you’ll be able to,” he explains. “However to be sincere, nothing actually prepares you for it.”
Dennis will subsequent race Method E for Group Andretti on June 21, 2025, in Jakarta, the place the common temperature for this time of 79.4 °F, 26.3 °C with a humidity issue of greater than 80%. Now that’s a tall order.
