I am seeing a jump to a higher level just in the last couple of days. One of the top drivers in my ACC league mentioned during a YouTube Porsche Cup stream that he preferred a shallower turn entry. Then I watched a video of THE OTHER top Porsche Cup driver and noted that he too entered more shallow than I am. So now I am thinking about (imagining) the new sensations of balance, working the front tires more (now those tail-happy esports setups are starting to make sense), using less steering angle and steering more with my feet, and being more aware of the grip and wheel speed on the rear tires. It’s like golf, you can’t consciously think about that all at once, it needs to be “a part of you, what you feel”. And just like in golf, if your mind is clear on what you want to do, your brain and body will quickly learn to repeat those ideas. It’s also why golf instructors (the majority) that teach “positions” rarely are good instructors.
I haven't figured out this flow thing, but I know it after I've experienced it. Certainly relaxed focus, which you've written about is key, but there seems to be a few minor contributors too, like being well rested, in good physical condition, enjoying the day and appreciating the gift of time at the track. And of course focused on the here and the now, not the lap time, or the result. It's not easy to get all these ducks lined up but the minute I notice I'm on a flyer, I pull myself back together and forget it until I'm finished. For sure I love chasing another car, especially one that generally a tiny bit faster than me, it gives me an additional gauge, especially in braking in which to measure myself which I find super helpful.
When you do figure out this flow thing, please let me know. There are millions of people who are looking forward to your "solution" to getting into it 100% of the time!! :)
Many times, especially in a very competitive race, when I pull into the pits after the checker flag, I have actually forgotten I won - or, maybe I have not even acknowledged this fact yet. My pit crew comes running over all excited and my first thought "is the car on fire". That's how I know I was in the zone, not focused on the outcome, but being totally in the moment and one with the car.
Let’s look at both elements you highlight, lap times and chasing another car.
Starting with the former, I have noticed that if I think about lap times, I perform worse. In analyzing what I do, I realize my inputs become more intentional instead of intuitive. I am less focused on the process and more on actions. As a result, I use conscious decisions and invariably make more mistakes. If I focus on the process, my conscious actions are aimed at correcting mistakes as I make them, and sometimes even before I make them.
In all instances, faster lap times feel smoother and I have fewer recollections of actually driving, mostly just the corrections.
When chasing another car, I usually completely forget about driving. Instead, I focus on comparative analytics, I.e. determining where I am faster and where the other driver is faster. Of course, it presumes we are closely matched.
My conscious focus is on opportunities for improvements, e.g. can I run a tighter radius or get back to WOT faster.
In a way, it’s the same. The conscious portion of the driving is aimed at the exception, not the bulk of the driving. What it does is help ‘get into it.’ It forces the separation of task between conscious and unconscious.
The word "focus" catches my eye and mind in your essay. I once had an eye doctor screw me up by prescribing a contact lens setup that was slightly far sighted. He said, "How can you drive if you can't see perfectly for distance?" It just put me so out of balance for normal living, because he didn't realize that we really only need a "soft focus" for something like driving, and I've heard you, Ross, state that before. Lately, if I want to get in a flow, especially in the simulator, I like to turn off the peripheral gauges and monitors, and chant "soft-focus" to my mind, LOL.
Not to worry. That doctor was my guy's partner. He was filling in for my doctor that day. My guy knows that I normally live "at arm's length" where I do my detail work. Thankfully, humans can drive fast using many sensory inputs in addition to a softer visual focus. (said Ross). "Don't stare at the apex!" (said another in the seat next to me).
I’ve been thinking on this one since the moment it came out! For me, I’m not sure it’s time so much as expectations, or rather the drive to compare my pace to that of others or to myself in the past. When I follow another driver, I expect to catch them; when I drive on a track I’m familiar with, I expect to exceed my last lap time. But your article made me wonder what it would be like to drive “freely,” without expectations--whether because you don’t worry about time (as you suggest), or you’re ill, or--as I expect to be the case when I head off to new tracks this summer--because I’m so unfamiliar with the tracks that I have yet no expectations. Whether it’s time or our own pressure to perform that we banish from our minds, I do take your point that perhaps the best performance comes from clearing our minds of clutter.
Yes, totally agree that it's expectations. So often lap times become the expectations, or the expectations are all tied up in the lap times. I'd suggest "letting go" and driving "freely" - with no expectations - to see what happens. For many drivers, it does result in a new level of performance, and enjoyment. For other drivers it takes some time to balance the letting go part with the effort one still needs to put into driving. One size does not fit all! And that's why our sport is so much fun.
Great article even if doesn't answer the question. I listened to a great discussion between Will Buxton and a young F2 driver (Robert ?) during Monaco prequalifying show which I thought was relevant as he was talking about being in the flow state. The main thing I took away from it was that driving Monaco properly means that the driving mechanics has be done on the subconscious level that you are completely unaware of the placement decisions and how close you are approaching the barriers. He remarked that when asked what he did to drive the great quali lap, he was just speechless because he had no idea what was different until he reviewed his data.
Seems completely different from Verstappen though because he seems to be aware and very conscious of EVERYTHING he did on the track from making the smallest placement mistake to not being able to maximize acceleration to track-out due to suspension at curbing, and every other infinitesimal event. It seems that this must require maximum time dilation!
As an older HPDE driver, the few times I felt I approached or reached this flow state was when I found myself in rhythm with the track, and I've often wondered if I could perform my best if I was listening to the perfect song matching the beat of the track.
As I've said before (and will again and again), what gets you into flow may not be what gets another driver into that same state. There are some commonalities, but it's a bit different for all drivers.
This is more of a corollary to the flow state, but I’ve noticed that purposefully driving slowly on a track with which you are familiar—say 4/10ths to 6/10ths or so—is awkward and uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s necessary to drive at this reduced pace, whether it’s the start of the first session of the day and you need to warm up the car and yourself, and feel out track conditions, or there is a lot of traffic impeding your progress. But after several laps at this slower pace I feel uncomfortable. Not antsy, just out of sorts. Once the pace picks up and laps start happening at 8 to 9/10ths, I become more relaxed and “in the zone.” Things feel easier, more natural. I’m assuming it has to do with learned braking points, throttle application points, etc. The muscle memory of the specific location of all of these actions falls apart at reduced speed.
As a very new racer in my 50's, I'm amazed at how newbs at age 16 are so much faster than me.
Perhaps this has to do with their ability to be and do (flow), without overthinking? Or maybe they are less afraid to make mistakes, and learn faster as a result? Or maybe my neurons are just lousy and slow, or have bad habits, despite a lifetime of visual-spatial and hand/eye coordination training in non-racing activities.
It's confusing to me that I've been given specific advice from very successful, older drivers...that indexing each corner is vital to improving. And it does work for me, to a point...getting my lap times down but definitely NOT in a relaxing flow state! And not enough to get me out of the back of the pack.
There are advantages to being naïve, as most 16-year-olds are. They also have fewer consequences when things go wrong. It's very common for a younger driver to think less than an older driver because, well, the older driver usually just has more going on in their lives (including responsibilities). I have a piece coming up soon all about the "older driver."
Yes to all of the above! I take solace in knowing that the back-markers in F1 are some of the best drivers in the world. Sometimes you have to be happy with competing against yourself and the track with "what you've brung."
Three of my best lap times last year were when I was I’ll. At Midohio last year I parked at my trailer, jumped out and was on hands and knees puking. It happened at two other tracks when I was just out of it.
I know of many drivers who have driven their best when sick (including me at Sebring one year). I think what it does is remove any expectations, so drivers "relax" a little more - and don't try so hard. It's not pleasant, though, and I don't recommend deliberately making yourself sick just to drive faster!!
A couple of us were breaking in motors at the karting track. Basically "taking it easy" and not trying to stress the motor initially. Lap times were very close to PRs!
Haha, you got it!
I am seeing a jump to a higher level just in the last couple of days. One of the top drivers in my ACC league mentioned during a YouTube Porsche Cup stream that he preferred a shallower turn entry. Then I watched a video of THE OTHER top Porsche Cup driver and noted that he too entered more shallow than I am. So now I am thinking about (imagining) the new sensations of balance, working the front tires more (now those tail-happy esports setups are starting to make sense), using less steering angle and steering more with my feet, and being more aware of the grip and wheel speed on the rear tires. It’s like golf, you can’t consciously think about that all at once, it needs to be “a part of you, what you feel”. And just like in golf, if your mind is clear on what you want to do, your brain and body will quickly learn to repeat those ideas. It’s also why golf instructors (the majority) that teach “positions” rarely are good instructors.
Hi Ross,
I haven't figured out this flow thing, but I know it after I've experienced it. Certainly relaxed focus, which you've written about is key, but there seems to be a few minor contributors too, like being well rested, in good physical condition, enjoying the day and appreciating the gift of time at the track. And of course focused on the here and the now, not the lap time, or the result. It's not easy to get all these ducks lined up but the minute I notice I'm on a flyer, I pull myself back together and forget it until I'm finished. For sure I love chasing another car, especially one that generally a tiny bit faster than me, it gives me an additional gauge, especially in braking in which to measure myself which I find super helpful.
When you do figure out this flow thing, please let me know. There are millions of people who are looking forward to your "solution" to getting into it 100% of the time!! :)
Many times, especially in a very competitive race, when I pull into the pits after the checker flag, I have actually forgotten I won - or, maybe I have not even acknowledged this fact yet. My pit crew comes running over all excited and my first thought "is the car on fire". That's how I know I was in the zone, not focused on the outcome, but being totally in the moment and one with the car.
That is an awesome feeling, isn't it? Congrats on winning, but more importantly, getting into that flow state.
This is a good one, Ross.
Let’s look at both elements you highlight, lap times and chasing another car.
Starting with the former, I have noticed that if I think about lap times, I perform worse. In analyzing what I do, I realize my inputs become more intentional instead of intuitive. I am less focused on the process and more on actions. As a result, I use conscious decisions and invariably make more mistakes. If I focus on the process, my conscious actions are aimed at correcting mistakes as I make them, and sometimes even before I make them.
In all instances, faster lap times feel smoother and I have fewer recollections of actually driving, mostly just the corrections.
When chasing another car, I usually completely forget about driving. Instead, I focus on comparative analytics, I.e. determining where I am faster and where the other driver is faster. Of course, it presumes we are closely matched.
My conscious focus is on opportunities for improvements, e.g. can I run a tighter radius or get back to WOT faster.
In a way, it’s the same. The conscious portion of the driving is aimed at the exception, not the bulk of the driving. What it does is help ‘get into it.’ It forces the separation of task between conscious and unconscious.
It is very intense but highly rewarding.
Does that resemble your experience?
Alain
The word "focus" catches my eye and mind in your essay. I once had an eye doctor screw me up by prescribing a contact lens setup that was slightly far sighted. He said, "How can you drive if you can't see perfectly for distance?" It just put me so out of balance for normal living, because he didn't realize that we really only need a "soft focus" for something like driving, and I've heard you, Ross, state that before. Lately, if I want to get in a flow, especially in the simulator, I like to turn off the peripheral gauges and monitors, and chant "soft-focus" to my mind, LOL.
Hmmm... time to see (no pun intended) a new/different eye doctor!
Not to worry. That doctor was my guy's partner. He was filling in for my doctor that day. My guy knows that I normally live "at arm's length" where I do my detail work. Thankfully, humans can drive fast using many sensory inputs in addition to a softer visual focus. (said Ross). "Don't stare at the apex!" (said another in the seat next to me).
I’ve been thinking on this one since the moment it came out! For me, I’m not sure it’s time so much as expectations, or rather the drive to compare my pace to that of others or to myself in the past. When I follow another driver, I expect to catch them; when I drive on a track I’m familiar with, I expect to exceed my last lap time. But your article made me wonder what it would be like to drive “freely,” without expectations--whether because you don’t worry about time (as you suggest), or you’re ill, or--as I expect to be the case when I head off to new tracks this summer--because I’m so unfamiliar with the tracks that I have yet no expectations. Whether it’s time or our own pressure to perform that we banish from our minds, I do take your point that perhaps the best performance comes from clearing our minds of clutter.
Yes, totally agree that it's expectations. So often lap times become the expectations, or the expectations are all tied up in the lap times. I'd suggest "letting go" and driving "freely" - with no expectations - to see what happens. For many drivers, it does result in a new level of performance, and enjoyment. For other drivers it takes some time to balance the letting go part with the effort one still needs to put into driving. One size does not fit all! And that's why our sport is so much fun.
Great article even if doesn't answer the question. I listened to a great discussion between Will Buxton and a young F2 driver (Robert ?) during Monaco prequalifying show which I thought was relevant as he was talking about being in the flow state. The main thing I took away from it was that driving Monaco properly means that the driving mechanics has be done on the subconscious level that you are completely unaware of the placement decisions and how close you are approaching the barriers. He remarked that when asked what he did to drive the great quali lap, he was just speechless because he had no idea what was different until he reviewed his data.
Seems completely different from Verstappen though because he seems to be aware and very conscious of EVERYTHING he did on the track from making the smallest placement mistake to not being able to maximize acceleration to track-out due to suspension at curbing, and every other infinitesimal event. It seems that this must require maximum time dilation!
As an older HPDE driver, the few times I felt I approached or reached this flow state was when I found myself in rhythm with the track, and I've often wondered if I could perform my best if I was listening to the perfect song matching the beat of the track.
As I've said before (and will again and again), what gets you into flow may not be what gets another driver into that same state. There are some commonalities, but it's a bit different for all drivers.
This is more of a corollary to the flow state, but I’ve noticed that purposefully driving slowly on a track with which you are familiar—say 4/10ths to 6/10ths or so—is awkward and uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s necessary to drive at this reduced pace, whether it’s the start of the first session of the day and you need to warm up the car and yourself, and feel out track conditions, or there is a lot of traffic impeding your progress. But after several laps at this slower pace I feel uncomfortable. Not antsy, just out of sorts. Once the pace picks up and laps start happening at 8 to 9/10ths, I become more relaxed and “in the zone.” Things feel easier, more natural. I’m assuming it has to do with learned braking points, throttle application points, etc. The muscle memory of the specific location of all of these actions falls apart at reduced speed.
Very interesting insight and approach, Jason! Like!
As a very new racer in my 50's, I'm amazed at how newbs at age 16 are so much faster than me.
Perhaps this has to do with their ability to be and do (flow), without overthinking? Or maybe they are less afraid to make mistakes, and learn faster as a result? Or maybe my neurons are just lousy and slow, or have bad habits, despite a lifetime of visual-spatial and hand/eye coordination training in non-racing activities.
It's confusing to me that I've been given specific advice from very successful, older drivers...that indexing each corner is vital to improving. And it does work for me, to a point...getting my lap times down but definitely NOT in a relaxing flow state! And not enough to get me out of the back of the pack.
There are advantages to being naïve, as most 16-year-olds are. They also have fewer consequences when things go wrong. It's very common for a younger driver to think less than an older driver because, well, the older driver usually just has more going on in their lives (including responsibilities). I have a piece coming up soon all about the "older driver."
Yes to all of the above! I take solace in knowing that the back-markers in F1 are some of the best drivers in the world. Sometimes you have to be happy with competing against yourself and the track with "what you've brung."
This may be a weird thing.
Three of my best lap times last year were when I was I’ll. At Midohio last year I parked at my trailer, jumped out and was on hands and knees puking. It happened at two other tracks when I was just out of it.
Ross, perhaps you can read something into this.
Joel
I know of many drivers who have driven their best when sick (including me at Sebring one year). I think what it does is remove any expectations, so drivers "relax" a little more - and don't try so hard. It's not pleasant, though, and I don't recommend deliberately making yourself sick just to drive faster!!
A couple of us were breaking in motors at the karting track. Basically "taking it easy" and not trying to stress the motor initially. Lap times were very close to PRs!