As the Formula One season is well underway, fans and spectators are looking toward some of the race drivers like Verstappen and Alonso, who have had impressive performances. While talent is one thing, hard work is another. The motorsport stars competing in the competition are among the best for good reasons. Here are some of the ways the race drivers enhance their performances.

Staying Focused

When driving down the race tracks, distractions can decide whether the race drivers make or break it. They need to have the utmost focus to be able to make it to a pole position, and they have to spend time practising how to stay focused. There are different ways to practise this, but some of the methods can be:

• Meditation
• Mental exercises
• Getting a good night’s sleep

Just like the race drivers, we need to stay concentrated in daily life, whether it be at work or school. Therefore, some choose to use memory pills to improve their cognitive functions. Choosing the best memory supplement is a way to not only better your ability to focus, but also improve your memory and lower stress levels.

Visualising Their Races

Have you ever thought of wanting something badly, only for it to happen in real life? This is a common method used by race drivers. It’s called visualising and is a way for F1 drivers and others to prepare for their races.

Visualisation is essentially a method where you imagine yourself in a competition or at a race. Some also know the method as the law of attraction, where drivers will ‘attract’ a great race. By imagining how they make every move and every turn, they will become more prepared for the actual race.

It is an effective method because drivers won’t know the difference between reality and visualisation, and by imagining that the race will go smoothly, there is a good chance it will happen in real life. Consequently, visualisation also requires confidence to imagine a great performance.
 

Hours of Preparation

Before driving in an actual race, an immense amount of practice is required. While some drivers might be born with talent, none of the most successful drivers would make it to where they are without preparation and practice.

Most race drivers decide to make a plan with their coaches which could include racing, watching footage of themselves, and having a healthy diet and exercise regimen. The key is discipline, as the best race drivers are those who follow through with their preparation plan.

Staying Healthy Outside the Tracks

While racing takes place in the car, this doesn’t imply that the race drivers can slack on their fitness. Most racing drivers also have a tightly scheduled exercise regimen. Racing requires great physical condition, as it is very physically demanding. Consequently, most drivers go to the gym several times a week to do cardio exercises that improve stamina.

Strength training is also crucial for racing, as they have to travel at high speed in an intense environment. The cars are heavy and difficult to drive, as braking can put a heavy strain on the race driver’s back. Therefore, the race drivers’ bodies must be strong to withstand the stresses of driving at high speeds.

Analysing Their Races

A crucial part of the preparation for race drivers is watching footage of their earlier races. In collaboration with engineering teams, drivers analyse data from previous performances which include things like lap times and passing manoeuvres.

This is an easy way for race drivers to optimise their race performance. The race drivers can watch the footage front to back to look at the smaller details and therefore adjust their driving technique. After analysing earlier races, the race drivers usually discuss race strategy and other winning opportunities with their teams in frequent meetings.

Rest Is Key

Racing is both physically and mentally demanding. Therefore, professional race drivers have to rest properly in order to recover after a race. This includes getting the right amount of sleep, but also getting massages and stretching to get the physical recovery they need. Many race drivers have a personal team of doctors and trainers who can help them recover before their next race.

Simulating Races

While race drivers often watch earlier races and use visualisation as a method to imagine the next race, many drivers use simulations for practice, too. There are simulators in which drivers can race in a safe, yet highly realistic environment. This way, the racing drivers can practise certain driving techniques and setups without risking anything. The simulators are also a great way for drivers to get a sense of a new race track.

Having a Racing Driver’s Mindset Outside of Work

In many ways, the racing driver mindset is something admirable and something to be used outside of the race tracks. Racing requires stamina, high concentration and optimal performance, which can be applied to other situations like taking an exam or going to a job interview. Because racing drivers have to be able to get into the zone very quickly, their methods apply to other daily life situations.