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By Riccardo Tafà| Posted July 9, 2024 | In Formula 1, Formula1, MotoGP, MotoGP
In the world of
motorsport
, the line between routine and superstition is often thin and blurred. Drivers and teams, immersed in a high-pressure, competitive environment, develop a set of rituals and habits that may seem bizarre to outside eyes and sometimes cling to rituals and beliefs that defy logic but fuel their determination.
But why are these practices so widespread? The answer lies in sports psychology and the need to manage anxiety and improve performance. In this article we will explore the most curious superstitions in motorsport, analyzing how they affect drivers and their performance.
In motorsport, the number 13 is avoided like the plague. This belief comes from the Anglo-Saxon tradition that considers 13 to be an unlucky number. A case in point is Formula 1, where the number 13 was banned for 36 years until 2014, when Pastor Maldonado decided to tempt fate with less than encouraging results, his ill-fated season seemed to confirm the myth. However, a statistical analysis reveals that Maldonado’s performance was not significantly worse than his previous averages, suggesting that the perception of bad luck may be more influential than reality itself.
Many drivers carry amulets and talismans as symbols of protection. Alberto Ascari, two-time world champion, avoided black cats and did not allow anyone to touch the bag containing his blue helmet.
Ascari was known for his collection of amulets, including a lucky stuffed animal. These objects, charged with personal meaning, serve as emotional anchors in times of intense stress. Their effectiveness, according to sports psychologists, lies in their ability to focus attention and reduce anxiety, allowing riders to enter an optimal state of flow.
Superstitious gestures are another key component of superstitions in motorsport. Michael Schumacher, for example, always got into the car from the left side and always carried an amulet with the initials of his family members These gestures, repeated with manic precision, help drivers create a feeling of control and familiarity, reducing pre-race anxiety.
Superstitions in motorsport are not mere whims, but reflect deep psychological needs. In an environment where control is everything, but paradoxically much is left to chance, these rituals offer an illusion of dominance over events. Recent studies in sports psychology have shown that such practices can actually improve performance, not by magic, but by increasing self-confidence and reducing pre-race anxiety.
What begins as superstition often evolves into a structured routine. Mental coaches work with drivers to transform superstitious gestures into effective pre-race rituals based on scientific principles of mental preparation. This transition marks the shift from an irrational belief to a practice aimed at improving performance.
So sports routines are not reduced to simple superstitious gestures. They are basically mental strategies aimed at improving athletes’ performance.
Mental coaches work with pilots to create customized routines that promote concentration and reduce anxiety.
These routines have proven to be powerful tools for optimizing performance; in fact, through constant practice, athletes can:
In contemporary motorsport, routines have evolved by integrating advanced technology and traditional practices. Modern pilots combine personal rituals with sophisticated visualization and biofeedback techniques. This fusion of ancient and modern creates a holistic approach to mental preparation, optimizing both body and mind for the challenges of the track.
Recent studies in the field of neuroscience have shown that beliefs can significantly influence physical performance through the placebo effect. In the context of motorsport, this means that a driver who firmly believes in the effectiveness of his or her pre-race ritual can actually experience measurable improvements in performance, regardless of the scientific validity of the practice itself.
However, there is a dark side to superstitions in motorsport. When these beliefs become too rigid or invasive, they can hinder performance rather than improve it. Drivers must be able to rationalize and adapt to unexpected changes in their rituals without suffering drops in performance; it is essential to maintain a healthy balance between established routines and mental flexibility.
An interesting anecdote concerns Pedro Rodríguez, who lost his lucky ring, a reminder of his younger brother who died in an accident years earlier on a plane flight. After having a copy forged, he confessed to reporters that he no longer felt safe. A few months later, on July 11, 1971, Rodríguez lost his life in a minor race accident at the Norisring, further fueling superstitious beliefs.
Enzo Ferrari, founder of the legendary team, was known for his aversion to the number 17. This number was associated with the death of his friend Ugo Sivocci, who lost his life in an accident during practice for the First European Grand Prix in 1923.
Valentino Rossi, The “Doctor” is famous not only for his exploits on the track, but also for his meticulous pre-race routine:
Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso, when they were on the grid, always left the bike to go to the bathroom before finally entering the track. This seemingly mundane ritual was an integral part of their mental preparation.
Hiroshi Aoyama, a former Japanese rider, had a habit of blessing the box and the bike every morning, sprinkling both the bike and the helmet with rock salt. This gesture, which blends superstition and cultural tradition, highlights how personal beliefs can influence a pilot’s preparation.
Marc Marquez: Despite claiming not to be superstitious, the Spanish champion revealed that he always wears red underwear on race day. For evidence, opt for a blue pair instead. This color habit has become an integral part of his mental preparation.
Max Biaggi: The “Corsair” had a particularly curious superstition: he wore the same underwear throughout his career.
This extreme gesture shows how strong the bond between a pilot and his “lucky” objects can be.
Danilo Petrucci: The Constancy of Socks, From Friday’s free practice to Sunday’s race, he always used the same socks.
Sebastian Vettel always inserted an image of St. Christopher (patron saint of motorists) in his racing shoes and always got into the car from the left side, as did his boyhood hero Michael Schumacher. He was also carrying a number of randomly found coins.
Niki Lauda Always kept a coin in his gloves during races.
Ayrton Senna He never changed his racing gloves, even when they were very worn.
David Coulthard Always wore blue underpants given to him by his aunt, until they were cut off following an accident.
Felipe Massa He did not change his underwear for the entire race weekend.
Kimi Raikkonen Wore the same socks for years.
Jacques Villeneuve used only suits at least one size larger than normal.
Stephen Modena He had a specific way of buckling up, always got into his car from the left side and insisted on having his car positioned on the right side of the box.
Mario Andretti He could not race without his gold medal around his neck.
Emerson Fittipaldi He always carried his daughter’s photo with him.
These superstitions, as bizarre as they may seem, play a key role in the mental preparation of pilots. In a sport where psychological pressure is extremely high they offer a sense of control and familiarity in a highly unpredictable environment.
Whether it is lucky socks, blessings, or simple repeated gestures, each driver finds his or her own way to get into the right mindset before facing the challenges of the track.They may seem irrational to outside eyes, but their psychological importance cannot be underestimated.
The modern approach tends to integrate these practices into a broader framework of mental and physical preparation, recognizing their value in creating a sense of control and confidence.
Ultimately, whether it’s avoiding the number 13, following a strict pre-race routine, or wearing a lucky charm amulet, what matters is thepositive impact on the rider’s mind.
In motorsport, where margins of victory are measured in milliseconds, any psychological advantage can make a difference.
The key lies in striking a balance between superstition and scientific preparation, allowing riders to make the most of both mind and body strength.
Are you ready to explore the transformative power of athlete sponsorship for your brand? Click here to learn more about how sponsorship can help brands grow and thrive in the exciting world of motorsports.
Managing Director for RTR Sports, Riccardo graduated in law at the University of Bologna. He began his career in London in PR, then started working in two and four-wheelers. A brief move to Monaco followed before returning to Italy. There he founded RTR, first a consulting firm and then a sports marketing company which, eventually, he moved back to London.
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Read MoreIn an era where it is possible to get anywhere with a click, there is a strong temptation to approach teams and properties directly for sponsorship projects.
By doing so, we are convinced that we are shortening the value chain, saving time and money. However, these DYI methods are anything but risk-free and what initially appears to be a competitive advantage soon turns into a problem that is difficult to resolve. That’s why there are agencies. And this is why you should rely on us for your sponsorships.
When first approaching a sponsorship or sports marketing project, it is difficult to know immediately which stakeholders are correct, what the decision flow is, and what the right timelines are for each process. Sports is a very specialized field of action, and fitting effectively into its paths can take a lot of time and therefore money. We, on the other hand, know referents and spheres of action and know who to talk to, when and how. So you are also more effective.
Sports is an immense passion, and for our heart colors we would be willing to do anything. But business is a different business, and it is important to make the best possible strategic decisions based on independent research, statistics and reliable data. A sports marketing and sports sponsorship agency like RTR has an objective, 360-degree picture of the scenario and can tell you what is really best for you: which sport, which athlete, which team. This is because we possess a great deal of data and information on ratings, segmentation and attitudes. Because the numbers don’t lie. Never.
Activations are the real heart of sports sponsorship. Without them, there remains only a blank sticker on a motorcycle, car or uniform and no contact with the public, no emotional connection, no impact on the bottom line. Then how do you do it? It certainly won’t be the teams or the athletes who will help you leverage sponsorship and enjoy the many marketing rights you have paid for. To bring out the best in a sports marketing project you need an agency that knows how to use sponsorship to engage the fanbase on the Web, to reach out to Shopping Centers, to organize hospitality, to develop B2B and B2C opportunities, and to get “your” athletes in front of millions of potential consumers.
Would you ever go to the dealer who sold you the car and ask if the competitor’s car is better? No, of course. So, how do you expect to get firm measurements of the effectiveness of your sponsorship if you do not rely on someone super partes? At RTR, we have always worked with independent third-party agencies that allow us to know the return on any exposure of your brand on TV and in the media. In addition, we believe in calculating ROI as the ultimate measure of your success-so we can tell you for every penny you spend how much you are making.
We have been involved in sports sponsorship and sports marketing for more than 15 years. We are consultants in the sense that our goal is to maximize your investment, but we are also an agency that manages the project from start to finish. We have been doing this since 1995 with passion and professionalism, following three principles that have become cornerstones of our business: independence, verticality and transparency.
I would like to highlight the fact that one of the qualities of RTR is its great ability to approach the sponsorship scenario strategically, together with its passionate attitude, its amazing enthusiasm for solving problems, and its high level of professionalism.
Gianluca Degliesposti
Executive Director Server&Storage EMEA
Eurosport is truly delighted with its business relationship with Riccardo Tafà, who has become extremely popular, thanks to his detailed knowledge of the sports marketing sector and his highly diligent attitude to work.
Francois Ribeiro
Commercial Director
Passion and Expertise are the features that I have found in RTR since the very beginning. Serious and reliable professionals but also very helpful, nice and open-mind people, willing to listen and compare different ideas. All the values in which RTR believes make this agency a partner, not just a supplier, a partner with whom we have had the opportunity to achieve significant commercial results in term of success and image.
Luca Pacitto
Head of Communication
We have been working with RTR Sports Marketing for over 10 years. The objectives and the programmes of collaboration continue to be renewed and to grow with mutual satisfaction. I believe RTR is a team of great professionals led by Riccardo Tafà, who I consider a manager of exceptional skills and with a great passion for his work.
Lucio Cecchinello
Team Principal
I have known and worked with Riccardo Tafà since 1995 when we collaborated for the first time on a project for the Williams Formula 1 team. Several clients followed. After leaving Williams to work for Gerhard Berger then owner of the Toro Rosso F1 Team, I turned again to Riccardo to seek his help in finding a tool supplier for the team and Riccardo duly obliged with an introduction to USAG, a partnership with Toro Rosso which endured for five years. I recently started a new role as Group Commercial Director for the renowned Andretti Autosport organisation and I find myself working with Riccardo once again on a number of interesting projects. Why has this relationship with Riccardo endured ? He’s smart, knows the commercial side of sport inside out and back to front and he’s honest and trustworthy. Riccardo Tafà is a “doer” not a “talker”: in over 20 years I have never had a dispute either with him or with a company that he has introduced and each partnership introduced by Riccardo has delivered quantifiable ROI to rights holder and sponsor alike. I can think of no better testimonial of Riccardo’s diligence, knowledge, contact base and hard work than that.
Jim Wright
Group Commercial Director
The online platform where you can discover the latest trends, strategies and insights from the exciting world of sports marketing.
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