“Have you ever been to Ferrari World,” asks Williams Racing driver Alex Albon, in the midst of explaining what it’s like to compete in a Grand Prix race. “Imagine being on the fastest rollercoaster in the world, except you’re driving. Obviously we don't do backflips, but that's pretty close to how it feels.”

In the high-octane world of Formula One racing, physical endurance and technical prowess are essential. But as Williams Racing drivers Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant discussed in their end-of-season interview at Jumeirah Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, mental strength and resilience are equally, if not more, important.

Throughout the season, Albon and Sargeant have faced gruelling physical challenges, from enduring the extreme G-forces of high-speed hairpins at Silverstone and Suzuka, to battling Qatar’s intense track heat. Yet, they've managed to emerge victorious time and again, demonstrating an admirable level of positivity, determination and grit.

Both drivers have honed their strategies to maintain a sharp focus and a clear head. As our exclusive partners, we admire their bravery in the pursuit of excellence. Below, we summarise the physical exercises, mental techniques, and dietary habits to maintain excellence on the racetrack.

Visualise success

Before every race, both drivers take the time to mentally rehearse each lap, which helps them anticipate potential challenges and respond effectively when they arise.

Albon explains that he sits at his desk, using his notebook as an imaginary steering wheel, and mentally rehearses every twist and turn of the track, visualising his moves and responses to each potential scenario.

“Before I drive I'll go through a lap in my head of exactly what I want to do. So in my head, I'm replaying areas I want to improve from a real lap I've done, maybe the session before, and I'll go over it in my head until I've done it perfectly. Once I'm happy with that, I'll take that to the real car and then try to perform it in the car.”

Breathing techniques

During high-pressure moments on the track, Logan uses breathing exercises to stay calm and avoid overthinking. This practice not only helps him keep his cool but also ensures that he can make the most efficient decisions in split seconds while under immense pressure.

“I try to use breathing to stay as calm as possible,” explains Logan. “When you have one lap left in qualifying, it matters more than the last lap, of course, but you have to try and keep everything as calm as you possibly can to really not overthink it.”

Grit and resilience

Albon and Sargeant also emphasise the importance of resilience - the ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep pushing forward. In a sport where the difference between victory and defeat can be mere fractions of a second, their ability to remain unfazed by temporary failures and maintain their focus on the ultimate goal is truly inspiring.

Both drivers treat every lap as equal. By doing so, they manage to keep their focus on the process rather than getting overwhelmed by the end result.

Rest is paramount

"I'm not very superstitious," Albon explains. A relaxing evening and a good night’s sleep pre race are all he needs. Race day is where a more structured routine comes into play for the drivers: a simple breakfast of espresso shots to boost their alertness, followed by light drills to warm up their brains and bodies.

Between seasons, Albon and Sargeant are set to take some well-deserved time off. They’ll enjoy a two week break to completely switch off, re-energise the mind and spend Christmas with their families before diving back into training for the 2024 season. With a clear excitement, Albon confesses to looking forward to the holiday season which offers him a rare period of flexibility with their diets.

Enjoy the ride

As Albon and Sargeant demonstrate, there is much more to life than simply crossing the finish line. It’s important that we enjoy the journey and continue to grow along the way.

“My favourite two tracks are Suzuka in Japan, and Silverstone in the UK,” explains Sargeant. “They're very similar tracks. High speed, fast flowing and very cool.”

“We love the feeling of adrenaline,” Albon adds. “We crave adrenaline. Silverstone and Suzuka, they're narrow, they don't have much safety around them. And so you feel like if you make a mistake, you'll crash, the senses pick up and we love that feeling that we're on the edge.”

Sargeant would like to see a track built in New York City, while Albon dreams of a course in his hometown of Bangkok, Thailand. “I guess I have a bias towards my home country. I think it would be good for people, especially the teams, to understand Thai food and just get to enjoy that side of the world.”

We hope Albon and Sargeant's strategies inspire you to visualise your own successes, to stay resilient in the face of setbacks and to keep challenging your limits. As Albon and Sargeant prove, even in the high-stakes world of Formula One racing, finding ways to stay calm can help you redirect stress to fuel your dreams.


Stay tuned for more exclusive insights from the fast-paced world of Formula One in 2024. Our hotels and resorts are located in some of the most striking Formula One destinations around the world. Speak to our concierge team to book a bespoke trip to Bahrain, London, Abu Dhabi and beyond.