Optimum age?

[Brother D]

So watching a bit of F1 after a long hiatus, and a general theme, the top drivers seem to be 'young'. There has to be a 'perfect' age where fitness and experience intersects. My question is what is that age? Youngs guys crash out due to inexperience, older guys loose out on fitness and reaction times... (being an old fart I think my maturity and endurance top previous 'sprint' ability).

[ging84]

are we talking specially about F1 here ?
i don't think young guy do crash due to inexperience, the records for the youngest points scorer, youngest race winner and youngest world champion have been repeatedly beaten over the last 10-15 years and it seems to me the number of crashes have been significantly reduced

[Ozzie Osmond]

Brother D said:

There has to be a 'perfect' age where fitness and experience intersects.

Sebastien Vettel is 26 and has several years of success behind him - which probably answers the question!

These guys need to be young for two main reasons,
1. Supreme physical fitness to withstand immense G-forces for 2 hours in intense heat.
2. Lightning fast reactions.

It was IMO very apparent that Schumacher was "too old" as Rosberg was regularly beating him. Rossi now has the same problem in Moto GP.

[Dr Interceptor]

I'd say 25-30... I don't think there's any noticeable drop off in reaction times or awareness during those five years.

[Gazzab]

And of course as they get older they become more risk averse.....