How sports psychologists work with Formula 1 drivers is just one of the topics covered in this week’s Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup. You will also understand why discipline beats motivation, tips on training your brain and body to perform under stress and more.
Overview
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
Why Discipline Beats Motivation at 200 km/h | Luca Day
What keeps you moving when motivation disappears? In this inspiring talk, race car driver Luca Day shares why discipline—not motivation—is the true driver of success. Through stories of racing at 200 km/h, recovering from a devastating crash, and overcoming academic struggles, he reveals how small, consistent habits can carry us through fear, setbacks, and uncertainty. Luca challenges the belief that success comes from fleeting inspiration, showing instead that resilience is built by showing up—even when it’s difficult. His message is a powerful reminder that the habits we practice every day ultimately shape the lives we lead.
How Sports Psychologists Work with Formula 1 Drivers
The F1 website has two insightful articles on how sports psychologists work with Formula 1 drivers. “I don’t believe there is a recipe. We don’t come in with, you know: these are the six things that we’re going to cover, and then you’ll be a World Champion! We meet everyone as an individual.”
You can read the full articles here but if you are not an F1 Insider you will need to sign up for free.
- Inside the F1 driver’s bubble: The sports psychologist
- How do psychologists help Formula 1 drivers be at their best?
Wickens Aiming for IGTC Outings Despite Systems “Hurdle”
Robert Wickens has targeted outings in GT3 endurance races that are part of Intercontinental GT Challenge, despite the “hurdle” of his Bosch hand control and electronic braking system currently only being designed for the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R. Read more at Sportscar365.
Switch Off or Ramp Up? How the Smartest F1 Drivers Managed the Summer Break
Formula 1’s recent calendar expansion, and the late arrival of another triple-header this season, means the rare periods of ‘down time’ have to be managed scientifically.
“I would say that all drivers need it,” said Dr Elina Haukipuro, elite mental performance coach and former Mercedes F1 team doctor, in an exclusive interview with Autosport. “We’ve seen in the last couple of race weekends before the summer break, drivers who’ve said, ‘I don’t want to think about racing for a while, I just want to completely switch off’. Some who have been performing well [on track] don’t necessarily express that, but it doesn’t mean that there is less of a need.”
Read the full article at Autosport here.
The Mindset that Drove EFO’s Diego de la Torre to his First Race Victory
From eighth in 2025 to title contention in 2026, Diego de la Torre has been one of Euroformula Open’s biggest surprises this season. But the Mexican, now sitting third overall, had yet to win a race across both of his seasons in the championship – until race two at the Hungaroring last month. He sat down with Feeder Series just a day before his victory to discuss his thoughts about this season and the mindset he built in the months leading up to his breakthrough.
Training Your Brain & Body to Perform Under Stress with Jim Leo
My guest last week on the Motorsport Prospects Podcast was Jim Leo of PitFit who explains the importance of training your brain and your body to perform under stress. He explains the importance of maintaining your composure under pressure, why maintaining your composure is the mark of a champion and much more.
Listen to the full episode here!
How Driver Talent Still Makes a Big Difference Under F1 2026 Rules
Amid much criticism from the drivers about the heavy-handed intervention of software in their control of the car, last year’s constructors’ championship-winning team says talent still counts. Autosport explains how driver talent still makes a big difference under F1 2026 rules.
AI is Coming for the Racing Driver’s Excuses
Artificial intelligence is changing the way racing drivers are analyzed, exposing weaknesses and habits that once took engineers weeks or months to identify. Auto Action explains how AI is coming for the racing driver’s excuses.
5 Simple Rules to be a Better Driver–Both On and Off the Track
Street driving can actually teach a racer plenty—if you know what to look for. This Grassroots Motorsports article identifies five simple habits that can sharpen a driver’s skills both on and off the track, from developing better visual scanning and spatial awareness to understanding changing road conditions and staying relaxed under pressure. The key takeaway is that strong driving fundamentals aren’t limited to the racetrack; everyday driving can reinforce the awareness and decision-making skills that make a better racer.
Race Car & Series Developments
Chat GT3: How Can I Get Started in Racing?
Getting into racing doesn’t have to begin with a childhood in karting or a straight-line path toward professional competition. This GT World Challenge America guide looks at the different entry points available to aspiring racers, from track days and racing schools to club competition and driver development programs. It also explains the typical progression toward GT racing, while emphasizing that motorsport can be pursued at many levels—whether the goal is a professional career or simply the challenge of racing.
Doonan: GT3 Cars to Run in IMSA Spec for Joint SRO BoP Test
GT3 cars taking part in the first-ever joint IMSA/SRO Balance of Performance test in December will run to IMSA specification according to John Doonan. “Obviously we’re preparing for the Rolex 24, so the cars will run in IMSA regulations,” he said. “SRO is helping us; they’ve got a great process. Their engineers will be with our engineers.”
“Coming out of it, my hope is that we gather another book of data that we can definitely use and we’ll have the ultimate final decision in BoP but maybe with some additional inputs that could help us all.”
Is GT3 Entering ‘the Danger Zone’?
Stephane Ratel – the man behind the category – thinks so and believes changes are needed, as some manufacturers are upping the ante. Porsche Motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbach has voiced similar concerns over the future of the GT3 platform to that of Stephane Ratel, stating he “fully agrees” with the SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO, who was one of the architects of the formula, and that organizers must “take action” not to prevent the category turning into prototype-based GT cars.
Revolution HyperSport Successfully Completes First Phase of Track Testing
Revolution Race Cars has successfully concluded the opening phase of its on-track development program for the all-new HyperSport, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the company’s new high-performance track car.
Toyota’s Gazoo Racing GT and GT3 Take to the Track
Toyota wheeled its mighty Gazoo Racing GT street car and race-ready GT3 around Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca recently, and the pair performed promisingly. The new cars come directly from the lineage of performance products like the 2000GT and Lexus LFA. Toyota says the two new models “strive to provide the ultimate driving experience by way of enhanced capabilities centered on three key elements: a low center of gravity, low weight with high rigidity and the pursuit of aerodynamic performance.”
Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato Driven at Nanoli Speedway Before the Tarmac Arrives
The Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato is designed to blur the line between road car and off-road machine, and this feature puts that unusual capability to the test at India’s Nanoli Speedway. Autocar India explores how Lamborghini has adapted the Huracán for loose surfaces while retaining its supercar character, offering an entertaining look at what happens when a car built for the tarmac is deliberately taken somewhere very different.
TA2 Announces Sensational Split with AASA Race Series
The TA2 Muscle Car Series has announced it will split with the Australian Auto-Sport Alliance (AASA) at the conclusion of this weekend’s Fight in the Night event at Queensland Raceway. SpeedCafe has the details.
2027 Calendar News
- Red Bull Ring Returns as Michelin 24H Series Reveals 2027 European Calendar (Creventic)
- Le Mans headlines 2027 McLaren Trophy Europe calendar following record-breaking season (McLaren Trophy Europe)
- Radical Cup Europe confirms 2027 calendar with Red Bull Ring debut (Radical Cup Europe)
- Zenith Racing Series 2027 Calendar Reveal (ZRS)
From the Sim Racing Roundup
Nissan Formula E Race Strategy Powered by Remote Simulation
Nissan Formula E race strategy is powered by remote simulation and in last week’s edition of the Sim Racing Roundup you will find out how. I also have career tips from Connor Bell, how eNASCAR has fueled growth in motorsport and more!
Track Days
Honda Making Iconic Race Cars Available for Sale Through New HRC Heritage Program
HRC US is giving enthusiasts the opportunity to own iconic race cars through its newly-launched HRC Heritage Racing Program.
The first race car available for purchase and restoration is the Sebring-winning V8-powered No.26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a. The Andretti Green Racing ‘XM’ car was the first purpose-built Acura endurance racer, and the first car and engine designed and developed by HRC in the U.S.
Why We Dug Up 30 Years of Dirt to Rebuild Thunderhill
When you’re on the track at Thunderhill East, you’re not just driving on asphalt. You’re driving on a foundation that took 18 months to engineer and—in some spots—an entire foot of excavation to get right.Most people don’t think about what’s underneath a racetrack. Dirt is dirt, right? Not even close.
Thunderhill Raceway explains why they dug up 30 years of dirt to rebuild the track.
Maserati MCXtrema v MC20 GT2 – Sibling Track Weapons Go Head to Head
Two Maseratis, two very different approaches to track performance. This evo comparison puts the £1 million MCXtrema against the considerably cheaper MC20 GT2, revealing a surprising result: while the MCXtrema delivers more power and an extraordinary level of performance, the race-bred GT2 is lighter, more agile and arguably more rewarding to drive. It’s an intriguing comparison of whether an extreme track-day hypercar can really offer more than a purpose-built racing car.
Racing & Testing Opportunities
Three Days of Professional Formula 4 Testing at Imola
Imola is calling. Three days of professional Formula 4 testing at one of Europe’s most legendary circuits. Dedicated track time, live timing, technical support and Pirelli tyre services—everything teams and licensed drivers need to make the most of every session. Check out the event details here.
Learn more about similar Professional Track Days at: www.kateyama.ch
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects and the host of the Motorsport Prospects Podcast. As a lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.
