Max Verstappen Races Without Water for Brutal Speed Hack
Max Verstappen Races Without Water for Brutal Speed Hack originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Max Verstappen is known for pushing the limits in F1 and now, it's been revealed he's even sacrificing hydration in pursuit of raw speed.
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According to a recent insight from Motorsport Data Analyst Lucas Corsino, Verstappen forgoes drinking water during races to maintain optimal car performance. Unlike other F1 drivers who have water pouches installed in the cockpit to stay hydrated, typically storing around 1.5 liters, Verstappen races without taking in a drop.
The water system in most F1 cars is usually positioned under or behind the seat, often adding a small but measurable amount of weight. In Verstappen's case, Red Bull places the pouch between his legs, right above the car's center of gravity.
While that positioning is already optimized for balance, Verstappen takes it one step further: he doesn't use it at all.
Max Verstappen during previews ahead of the Saudi Arabian GP.By avoiding hydration during the race, Red Bull removes that weight entirely, prioritizing performance over comfort. While 1.5 kilograms (about 3.3 pounds) might not sound like much, in a sport defined by thousandths of a second, every gram counts, especially when it's located near the car's crucial center of mass.
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This strategy is a brutal example of how far Verstappen and Red Bull are willing to go for an edge. It's not just about engineering; it's about the four-time world champion's own physical resilience and mental focus, managing grueling race distances without the relief of water under scorching cockpit temperatures.
And while this might be manageable on cooler circuits, it becomes an entirely different beast in sweltering races like Jeddah or Singapore. In those conditions, cockpit temperatures can soar well past 50°C (112°F), turning dehydration into a real and dangerous challenge. Forgoing water in that kind of heat puts enormous strain on a driver's body—testing not just speed, but sheer survival endurance.
The Dutchman's sacrifice is a reminder that at the highest level of motorsport, comfort takes a backseat to performance. The reigning champion continues to show why he's one of the toughest and fastest on the grid.
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Related: Max Verstappen Admits He Cheated to Win a Race in School and Fans Can't Believe It
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
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