But have you ever wondered what a day in the life of these iron men looks like? What fuels their man-machine abilities which sets our pulses racing? We at GQ India had an up close and personal chat with two of the pioneering racers gearing up for the 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix – Lucas Di Grassi and Oliver Rowland. From driving for Mahindra Racing’s Formula E team to their non-negotiable dynamic with discipline, the duo gives us a lowdown on their power-packed routines.
Growing up, we’ve all been glued to the telly, gawking at the lightning-fast, nail-biting motorsport races. From the cockpits of their electric single-seaters, these rock-ribbed drivers tackle competition, power management and kick into high gear – taking their fighter-jet inspired hot wheels from 0-100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds. And yes, all of that action unfolds in a matter of mere seconds.
For race reviews, highlights and information about upcoming Formula E races, click here.
Yogurt, fruit, bread and coffee!
Usually some protein, some eggs or cereal. I also always start the day with coffee.
What do you usually have for breakfast?
We receive the track layout for the simulator just two weeks prior to the event, and there’s then an intensive period of work in order to learn and perfect the circuit. We spend many days practising before we travel to the event in the simulator, working closely with the engineers. On the race day, we have one practice session of 30 minutes in the morning. We also have another one the day before, which also lasts 30 minutes.
How many hours a day do you practise on the racetrack?
At a Formula E race we wear an underlayer (which includes a long-sleeve top and tights-style bottoms), socks, race boots, a fireproof race suit, a balaclava, a helmet and gloves. It is branded to match our race team colours and the car. The Formula E races are extremely strenuous - sometimes we lose up to 2 kg of weight from sweating during the race, especially in the hot and humid countries! So the right racing gear goes a long way in helping us sustain strength and perform better.
Tell us something about your racing gear.
Before each race, there is a period of time when we are alone and get a moment to think. We run through the race plans in our minds, think about our families and prepare to race. Every driver does it slightly differently. But being mentally prepared is so important in motorsport - it is often half the battle. When you are driving cars as powerful as we do, our minds must be focused and alert.
How do you mentally prepare for a race? Are there exercises or meditative practices to follow?
There’s a really short and intense learning period in Formula E, with just two 30-minute practice sessions on track in the lead up to a race. We have to use the opportunity very intelligently to ensure we maximise the limited track time. We test the cars prior to the season beginning, and then on the race day we have the one practice session in the morning! We have a meeting with the engineers first to determine our run-plan for the session, which means deciding the number of warm-up laps, push laps etc.
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At what point during the day do you test the cars? What’s the process like?
With the job we do you are often very tired and put yourself under a lot of pressure. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, keep muscle strength and look after your mind while resting and spending time with family and friends. My ideal break to unwind is spent with my amazing daughter and fiancée at home.
I like to read a lot in my time away from the track as it relaxes me. I also enjoy learning about technology and sustainability, two areas I am really passionate about both within racing and in my normal life. In some ways, I am always thinking about Formula E!
Looking after your mental health is becoming more prominent in athletes. When it comes to physical health, we know you have to work out but how do you manage your mental health?
Formula E racing is so unique due to the importance of strategy and energy management. Not only do we have to think about racing our competitors, we have to also pay close attention to the car’s energy levels, conserving when necessary. If we were to push too hard whilst battling during the race we would simply run out of energy before the end. The engineers are constantly calculating during the race, and we adjust our driving depending on this.
What makes Formula-E racing different and unique compared to other motorsport races?
This season, we want to bring Mahindra Racing back to the front of the grid and the top of the standings. The team has been a part of Formula E since the very beginning and has had many highs and lows. But this season, with a new era of cars, we want to really fight for wins and podiums. The Hyderabad E-Prix is a huge moment for Mahindra Racing. After nine years of racing in Formula E, the team will finally attend a race on home soil. The support of the fans over the years has been so brilliant, and to finally get to feel that passion in real life will be a really special moment for the team. This is our homecoming.
What are you looking forward to the most this season? What are your ambitions and goals this time around?
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A balaclava is a fire-proof fabric protective gear which covers the face (leaving the eyes and sometimes nose area open) of the racers. During the race, if the car or attire catches fire, the balaclava safeguards the racers.
What’s a balaclava?
FORMULA E GOES GREEN
These wheel-to-wheel tussles embraced a wave of sustainability when in 2014, the first-ever all-electric racing series, Formula E, greeted the discerning viewer. Fast, furious and environmentally conscious, Formula E lives up to its title of one of the most competitive and fastest growing sports out there. What’s more? The adrenaline-pumping race series will be making history this month, with the 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix – and Formula E’s first foray on the Indian tracks. “Whilst the technology has changed a lot, the feeling of racing and the skills used remain the same. I think that all racing will eventually become electric one day, it’s the way the world is going,” said Lucas Di Grassi.
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