Overcoming Nerves When You Are Racing

Lucy Wyndham
12 May 2020

Nerves and anxiety when you are driving are extremely common, even just on normal roads. But for racing drivers, these sensations are heightened due to speed, noise, the adrenaline rush and the pressure of competition. In fact, it would be unusual for someone not to feel nervous before a race. What you don’t want however, is those nerves to affect your performance when you are out on the track. With a little practice and some good preparation you can overcome your driving anxiety and have a great race.

Practice with simulators

You may not always be able to get out onto the track, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get some racing experience to help improve your confidence. Sim racing is a great way to hone your skills without needing to pay for track time. It is also a good way to self-analyze why you get nervous in a risk-free environment. McClaren driver Lando Norris is also an avid ESports driver and has recently said that he gets more nervous driving in a simulation than out on the track due to the lack of noise and adrenaline. He said that sim racing was a good way to practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, to make him feel calm and focused. Lando Norris recently took part in a live racing stream for charity and raised more than $2 million for the Covid-19 response fund.

Using supplements to overcome anxiety

What you eat has a remarkable effect on levels of anxiety and nerves. A recent study that was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that people who ate less than three portions of fresh fruit and vegetables every day were 25% more likely to have anxiety. If you are racing regularly, it is important to consider that a poor diet could actually be exacerbating your nerves. Taking magnesium and Vitamin D supplements has also been proven in studies to be effective against anxiety and nerves and can be a helpful addition to a healthy diet.

Be completely prepared

If you mentally know that you are prepared for a race, you will have more confidence in your abilities and be less inclined to be nervous. Before a race, check out the track in advance, so that you are completely familiar with the route and its twists and turns. If you get the chance for a practice run, make sure that you take it and plan your race strategy before you get in the car. Are you going to try and push straight for the front? Or is it a race where you are simply planning on improving your personal best? Make sure that your car is kept in top racing condition too, so that you know that it is running smoothly and that it is unlikely there will be any mechanical issues.

It is completely normal to be nervous both before and during a race, however, you do not want these nerves to hamper your performance. Get all the practice that you can, be well prepared and have confidence in your abilities as a driver.