What happens before an F1 driver gets in the car?

From hydration plans to reaction drills, Formula 1 session preparation starts long before the visor comes down

Published

15 MAY 2026

Est. reading time

3 min

Formula 1 drivers spend up to seven hours in the car across a three-day race weekend, but the preparation behind every session is starts long before that. Between engineering meetings, physical warm-ups and mental focus, every routine is designed to help drivers perform at their peak from the second they head out on track.

As insights previously shared by Alex’s performance coach Patrick Harding showed, preparation in Formula 1 is built around process and consistency – with every detail carefully planned before the car even leaves the garage.

Around 90 minutes before a session begins, drivers will usually start by eating something light and nutritious, prepared in-house by the team’s hospitality staff. At the same time, they’ll complete any final engineering briefings where setup changes will be reviewed, tyre plans discussed and key points from previous outings.

A moment to focus before jumping in the car...

Hydration is also a major focus as a session approaches, particularly during one of the many hot race weekends where temperatures can soar inside the cockpit. Fluid intake is carefully monitoried throughout the day, sometimes alongside caffeine supplements such as coffee, chewing gum or energy shots to help sharpen focus if a driver feels they need an extra boost.

Around 30 minutes before heading out, drivers typically return to their room to change into their racewear before beginning a physical warm-up. These routines vary depending on the driver and the type of session ahead, but can include skipping ropes, mobility exercises and reaction training using flashing-light equipment to activate both body and mind.

The garage itself also plays an important role in preparation. Patrick previously explained that it was beneficial “from a mental point of view to be in that space [the garage] as we prepare for the session,” with many drivers preferring to spend the final moments before running alongside their engineers in a familiar environment.

F1 preparation in the modern era is now less about superstition and more about repeatable routines. Speaking in 2023, Alex explained that he “used to be quite superstitious”, carrying lucky charms, but had gradually moved away from those habits to avoid them becoming part of his mental preparation.

Balaclava on, ready to drive...

Instead, his emphasis is now firmly on consistency and process. As Patrick put it: “We don't really have any rituals in terms of superstitions – but certainly we have a process that we follow.”

In the final minutes before heading out, drivers are often weighed as part of FIA minimum weight regulations, while teams also use the data to monitor hydration levels across the weekend. You’ll then typically see drivers reviewing notes with engineers, visualising corners through steering movements, or taking a final quiet moment to focus before putting on their helmet.

From there, it’s balaclava on, visor down and out into the pit lane.