Driving Psychology: Understand the Mental Stages of a Driver

Managing emotions can be one of the most difficult aspects in the real and virtual motorsport world. The mental state is such a critical part of proper concentration, which allows for peak performance in almost any activity, taking a fundamental role in esports.

We all have always asked ourselves the same question, why do I get nervous at the start if this is just a game? How is it possible that I have been training for a week and when the moment of truth arrives I am nervous? Why do my opponents make me feel nervous?

All these questions are pure symptoms of competition, something that is written in our DNA. Therefore, it is one of the factors to control in our stage as drivers.

Take pre-race pressure, for example. Usually, a driver can be very anxious or nervous, which leads to distraction from the actual task. Learning to control our emotions has to be an additional activity when training our mental and physical skills.

Visualising and planning how you would like the ideal start, or the ideal lap with details such as braking points, car placement, gearing, etc., can help to improving that nervous (negative) energy into a productive mindset, preparing you for the race.

Another common example, say mid-race, is waiting for a restart due to a yellow flag. Instead of getting nervous that the car behind you will overtake you on the restart, or worrying that your tyres will be destroyed and you will have to limp to the end, think about what you can do to make the most of your strengths.

Visualise how you want to prepare for the restart, to get the best jump to the green flag, how you’re going to line up for the next corner, or how you might alter your racing line to optimise what you have left in those tyres. Keep a positive attitude and put all negative emotions or thoughts out of your mind.

Visualising what you want to do at all times will help you leave those options of probability and uncertainty behind. Believe it or not, this technique will help you to be calmer and more prepared for race situations.

See you on the road!