The Significance of Human Drivers in Car Racing Competitions
Crushing the speed barrier of 300 km/h in a car is no easy feat - it takes pure talent, a kick-ass vehicle, unshakable guts, a healthy dose of self-assurance, and an ideal mob mentality. And according to Bertrand Godin, motorsports legend and all-around racing guru, the human factor often gets overlooked, especially in comparison to other sports.
Teams will splash cash like it's going out of fashion to craft the perfect machine, but what about the pilot? They need to be in prime physical condition and fighting fit mentally.
Throughout Godin's career, he's encountering countless people who think driving to win means taking unnecessary risks. Godin, however, insists that the key to winning is embracing the challenge and cultivating a state of serene grace - mentally, that is. Negative thoughts are an absolute no-go once a driver bellies up in their chariot.
Racing against time and pressure, Liam Lawson kicked things off last season with a heavy weight on his shoulders. The constant threat of being unceremoniously booted from the team sent shivers down his spine.
Embrace Humility, Baby
If humility is the key to success in every walk of life, motorsports are no exception. A humble soul questions themselves during moments of triumph as well as tough times. It's like an unquenchable thirst for self-improvement. To shine like a supernova, focus needs to be on the task at hand and not on the rewards presented to us.
Godin took a chance in his LMP3 race at Mugello, Italy last year. If he had mangled his car, whacked a wall, or even gotten plowed by another driver, the insurance deductible would have left a $30,000 hole in his wallet. But thinking about the stakes? Hell naaaah. Thinking about dodging danger and savoring each hairpin turn was the name of the game.
Leverage the Human Factor
Pressure from outside the cockpit is a constant threat, robbing drivers of focus and creating parasitic stress. But it can also work as a lever. You bet your bippy that drivers are aware of that, which is why some competitors try to get under their opponents' skin.
In the old days of the Player's series, some dudes called Godin "Mister Bean." It used to grind his gears, but now it cracks him up. He admits he wasn't always an angel himself. Remember the time he helped his teammate break a superstitious spell by snagging his coins? That stuff can mess with a driver's state of mind, and sports psychologists are folks who help us keep our heads on straight.
Dan Maizie, their sports psychologist at the time, had Godin and the gang meditate on words that evoked a sense of calm for them. When things went sideways, connecting those words with fluffy feelings could turn a negative thought into a positive one.
But the reverse is also true. Focusing on a bummer from the past can trigger negative reactions in our brains. Thankfully, techniques like these helped Godin get back behind the wheel during the 1996 Grand Prix of Trois-Rivières, even after losing his brakes at 250 km/h. By visualizing how he'd handle such a situation, Godin was ready to pull off some fancy ice-skating maneuvers.
The Human Touch in Formula 1
This season, it's evident that humans have a profound psychological impact within a racing team, from mechanics to the team principal, and even the team owner. If one of these gems isn't appreciated and acknowledged, the consequences can be severe - perhaps even catastrophic. Ditching a driver after a couple of races isn't a sustainable long-term strategy. Living on borrowed time doesn't exactly put you in a prime position to climb the podium's top steps.
In Godin's opinion, valuing the human touch and taking the time to do things right is a much kinder, more sustainable path toward success.
So here's a shout-out to all the dads out there - hope you have a fantastic Canadian Grand Prix and a rad Father's Day! If you're in need of an original gift for dear old dad, pop over to Godin's website and check out his collection. A portion of every sale will go to the PROCURE organization, which works tirelessly on prostate cancer research and awareness.
- The human factor in motorsports is often overlooked, yet it plays a crucial role, not just in driving the ideal vehicle, but also in the mental and physical well-being of the pilots.
- Sports psychologists can be instrumental in helping drivers maintain focus, manage stress, and turn negative thoughts into positive ones, especially during high-pressure racing situations.
