[chillibowl]

I would think there are a number of rookies/young drivers who show up with a tremendous amount of physical fitness that probably aides them in their early days. Fitness alone though isn't enough to cover up a lack of raw skill but that's another story.

That said, my two cents is also that overall modern fitness levels across the board adds to the impression that the cars are 'easier' to drive. A lot of pro sports benefit (or sufers from it depending on your pov) from this these days imo.