There’s a major emphasis on mental fitness, too. The majority of F1 drivers today rely on coaches to help them train their brains for success.
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Watching Formula One drivers race through a Grand Prix may make the audience wonder—do they even have time to think? While it’s clear that making split-second decisions is the mark between landing a podium finish and not in this sport, it’s the duration of the average race that usually grabs people’s attention. In other words, continuous fast decision making over the course of ninety minutes is incredibly demanding.
Still, when most fans think about training regimes for elite drivers, they imagine running, cycling, and rowing, or possibly the hand-eye coordination and reflex techniques used to keep drivers sharp. The emphasis is on physical fitness, lightning-quick reflexes, and the ability to handle a lot of G-force.
But there’s a major emphasis on mental fitness, too. The majority of F1 drivers today rely on coaches to help them train their brains for success. Though legends like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have sworn never to work with these types of professionals, it’s clear that they’re an important element of success for others.
So, what are the most important cerebral skills that drivers must develop?
Oracle Red Bull Racing & Mental Fortitude
Last year, Red Bull began a multi-year partnership with the poker giant, PokerStars. The online provider for the world’s most popular card game might not seem to have much in common with F1 racing—until you start to look at the mental skills necessary for success. Both activities require total focus over long stints of time.
One core reason behind Red Bull’s record-breaking 2022 season was its calm and calculated approach to each race. In the joint ‘Between the Lines’ video series, poker pro Michel Dattani breaks down the importance of this type of calm focus during extensive tournament play. A stressed brain prevents quick and accurate thinking, which means the mind must be groomed to handle fast action without succumbing to nerves.
So, how does Red Bull Racing accomplish the same type of lethal focus as poker pros? Much of this comes down to experience. The mind can be fortified over time through extensive training, lessening the feeling of being thrown into the unknown.
Aki Hintsa & The Magic of Routine
If you’ve dived into the world of mental training in F1, then you’ve heard the name Aki Hintsa. The Finnish doctor first became involved in F1 as medical staff for various teams, which soon put him in contact with drivers like Kimi Räikkönen and Lewis Hamilton. However, he quickly pivoted to focus on mental preparation and overall well-being through his own Hintsa Performance.
During his time with McLaren, he developed an approach to help drivers maintain their mental and physical health while on the road. Combining his experience in medicine with a new approach to mind coaching, Hintsa advocated for meditation. The practice of mindfulness is one way to train the brain to remain calm and positive, along with avoiding needless self-criticism.
Similarly, he also helped drivers build an approach to routine building on the road. Meditation was only one component of keeping a driver’s entire routine on course, including sleep, diet, and exercise. Only when balanced in conjunction can the mind truly benefit.
Riccardo Ceccarelli & Visualization
Charles LeClerc has spoken recently about his work with Riccardo Ceccarelli, a mental coach who he has been working with for over a decade. As the stress starts to boil LeClerc in the 2023 season, his time with Ceccarelli is even more important in keeping his mental game sharp.
Ceccarelli advocates for visualization, a key mental exercise that’s been tied to successful Olympians like Michael Phelps. The goal of visualization is to engage the driver in imagining a best-case scenario. In other words, they visualize a podium finish or a great run in the qualifying rounds, which helps prepare their minds for bringing that vision into reality. LeClerc has said specifically that he likes to visualize the perfect lap right before qualifying to help him concentrate.
