24h Le Mans
Having taken a back seat for a long time, the mental aspects of sport is currently receiving more attention. We spoke to some 24 Hours of Le Mans drivers about their experience of mental training.
The line-up comprises drivers of all ages and nationalities but when it comes to the importance of mental training, there is a general consensus. Loïc Duval (#70 Realteam Racing), who has raced Le Mans nine times and won in 2013: “I’m one of the older generation: we used to turn up in good physical shape and not worry too much about the rest. Things have changed since then. Now I work with MotionLab, a Swiss outfit based in Mont-sous-Lausanne. They have me training at altitude in hot, humid conditions. And they track sleeping habits and the mental aspects of sport."
Racing drivers have not always been considered athletes. These days, the physical and mental skills required to drive a prototype leave no room for doubt. “We have to be in good physical shape but we haven’t always been classed as top-level athletes. But our training programmes continue to improve”, says Duval. "The pandemic has left us with more time to ourselves, which we can devote to mental training.”
Matt Campbell of Dempsey-Proton Racing (#77 Porsche 911 RSR-19) agrees. “You have to be well-prepared mentally, whatever the race.” More and more athletes, including racing drivers, are turning to mental coaches for specific training. Endurance drivers too. Turning to someone else can help deal with pressure and overcome difficulty. Re-motivating yourself after a disappointment can be hard, especially for young drivers whose careers may hang on major races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Le Mans rookie Franco Colapinto is the youngest in this year’s line-up. The G-Drive Racing driver feels ready to take on the iconic circuit, thanks to mental conditioning. “I’ve got a mental coach. We work together regularly and I think it’s beneficial. Mental training is extremely important in endurance racing. In a 24-hour race you have to be fully focused all the time. I’ve done all the ground work, and we’ll see if it pays off.”
So, how much is down to physical strength and how much to mental preparation? The drivers of the 89th 24 Hours of Le Mans diverge on that point. To Roberto Merhi, it’s “50% physical, 50% mental. It’s a stressful race. You have to keep a cool head for the whole time, especially at night.” Eighteen-year-old Franco Colapinto thinks mental training is key. “The mental aspect can be the difference between winning and losing. My team have warned me about the difficulties of racing at night. Mentally, you have to be ready to deal with the difficulties you encounter during the race." Loïc Duval is categorical. “Performance depends on mental training, 100%. It is decisive. If you haven’t got your mind on the job, after a spin-off for example, it’s going to be difficult to get back into the race, however strong you are physically. It’s crucial.”
Everyone needs mental training. Novice and experienced drivers alike. The mental aspects of sport can no longer be overlooked and are set to take centre stage in the future.
