While Bottas has been open on the subject of late, he is by no means the only driver who knows the challenge and is specifically aware of the need to zone out.
“It’s very important,” says Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson. “We spend so much time thinking about, obviously, the same sort of thing. I think Formula 1 weekends and weeks are very, very long as well.
“We arrive in some situations on a Tuesday or a Wednesday before a race, and you’re in discussions and just focused on the same thing for a lot of days, so finding time to switch off is very important. Obviously, every driver has their own way of doing that, but even on race weekends, finding time to yourself [is vital].
“I think the nights, just back at the hotel, for me personally it’s making the most of those hours away from the track, trying not to think too much about F1, and coming back the next day fully refreshed is very important.”
‘Everyone is individual’
So what methods are there to call upon both at and away from the track?
“It can be so many things,” says Bottas. “Everyone is individual. For me, for example, small things like escaping in nature by myself. That’s one thing I can [do to] recharge or do some other hobbies.
“For example, cycling is a big passion for me. That’s one that is also good for the fitness, but it also clears my head. I love travelling, seeing new places and stuff like that, or it can be cooking up a meal for yourself or your family. Or a sauna session, that’s a good one!”
“I bring a guitar with me every weekend now to each race,” Lawson explains. “That’s been something that’s been great to mentally switch off, and among other things as well. The more experience you have, you find things that work for you.”