Lucas Di Grassi stands as one of the most experienced and senior drivers currently competing in the all-electric Formula E championship. The seasoned Lola Yamaha driver has now openly revealed the specific mental technique he employs to regain sharp focus and composure before hitting the track for a race.
The Veteran's Formula for Longevity and Focus
The 41-year-old Brazilian racer, who has completed an impressive tally of more than 5,000 laps throughout his Formula E career, is currently gearing up for the highly anticipated upcoming Miami E-Prix. This event holds special significance for Di Grassi, as he clinched a second-place podium finish there just last year. His secret to maintaining peak performance levels well beyond the age of 40 offers a potentially invaluable lesson for younger drivers throughout the racing paddock.
A Quiet Refuge from the Storm
In a detailed discussion featured on the Longevity.Technology podcast, Di Grassi elaborated on the singular practice he relies upon to mentally prepare himself. He explained that he deliberately seeks out a quiet, isolated place specifically for meditation, intentionally distancing himself from the myriad distractions typical of a race weekend, such as sponsor obligations, guest interactions, and media engagements. This solitude allows him to achieve complete mental clarity before strapping into the cockpit.
Opening up about the intricacies of his established pre-race ritual, Di Grassi stated on the podcast, "Before qualifying or at a very specific, crucial moment before the race itself, I make it a point to go to a quiet place and engage in a little bit of focused breathing and a certain type of meditation. The core idea is fundamentally about remaining in a perfectly calm environment—no sponsors, no guests, no media personnel. I simply sit down alone for a period of about 15 to 20 minutes."
Navigating a Demanding Schedule
He further added context to the necessity of this practice, noting, "Our race weekend schedule is exceptionally demanding and packed because there are always sponsors to meet, a VIP area in the garage to attend, and numerous people who rightly require your attention. It's not solely about the racing; you also carry a substantial load of commercial and media-related activities. Therefore, just before getting into the car, I always retreat to my designated quiet place. While some drivers prefer to listen to music for focus, I do not. I choose complete silence. I perform a little bit of breath work and meditation, which acts as a form of brain exercise, to laser-focus my mind on the precise tasks I need to execute."
Eyes on Miami: A Podium to Defend
Lucas Di Grassi is now setting his sights on Miami for the forthcoming Miami E-Prix, which is scheduled to take place on January 31 at the Miami International Autodrome. Reflecting on past success, he recently shared a nostalgic photograph from his podium celebration in Miami last year on his Instagram, captioning it, "Just thinking about our last visit to Miami…" signaling his positive intentions for the upcoming event.
The start to Formula E's Season 12 has presented challenges for Di Grassi. He experienced a non-finish in Round 1 held in Sao Paulo during December. Subsequently, at the Mexico City E-Prix in January, he started from 16th position on the grid and managed to climb to a 13th-place finish. As the championship moves to Florida, Di Grassi will undoubtedly be hoping to channel his focused pre-race routine to replicate his previous Miami success and secure a strong result for the Lola Yamaha team.
