Former Benetton driver reveals how the F1 team wanted to ‘break his legs’ to improve performance

Former F1 driver Alexander Wurz disclosed a shocking proposal from the Benetton team during his racing career, where they suggested a surgical procedure to shorten his femurs for improved performance. This extreme idea was part of the team's quest for faster lap times, reflecting the cut-throat nature of the sport in the late 1990s.

Wurz, who stands at 6ft 2in, felt that his height contributed to performance issues compared to his shorter teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella. Despite the pressure to conform to the team's demands, Wurz firmly rejected the idea of undergoing surgery, highlighting the lengths teams might go to in pursuit of competitive advantage. He noted that the car's weight issues were not disclosed, which ultimately affected his reputation in the sport.