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The legendary Senna confidant who called time on a 35-year F1 career
Austrian physiotherapist Josef Leberer is a revered legend in the Formula 1 paddock, having worked with renowned drivers such as Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. Leberer joined McLaren in 1988 and quickly developed a strong bond with Senna, who saw the potential of having him as his personal trainer. Leberer tailored his approach to each driver’s individual needs, focusing on training, physiotherapy, nutrition, and mental coaching. He witnessed the increasing technological advancements in F1 over the years, which have made it more challenging for young drivers to succeed. Despite the changes, Leberer believes that the demands on drivers have remained relatively similar, requiring them to combine their technical understanding with their own driving style under immense pressure.