Reading is undervalued in a world dominated by quick dopamine hits and distractions. It’s easy to get caught up constantly searching for the next thing.

In motorsport, you’re ultimately judged on your ability to drive fast around a race track, but winning takes more than being fast. You are a human before you are a racing driver, and the lessons you learn in life can help you on the race track.

That’s why I turned to books in 2024, reading 29 in total (more than the rest of my life combined). What I learnt has transformed me as a person and racing driver.

Here’s why reading matters for racing drivers and which 8 books I think every driver should read.

Why Reading Matters for Racing Drivers

When you’re racing, you can’t afford a lapse in concentration for a second. You can’t swipe up for the next dopamine hit when you’re bored, or think about anything other than the present moment if you want to win.

Building the habit of reading builds focus, patience and cognitive endurance that can impact the rest of your life, not just racing. Here’s how:

• Stress management: No matter how busy and stressful your day has been, books will always be the same. The words will always be there on every page to give your brain the recovery it needs from the intensity of daily life.

• Building a resilient mindset: I’m not going to lie to you, reading can be boring. Some books feel endless, and some you can finish within a few days because they’re engaging. It’s getting through the tougher pages and fighting against the urge to pick up your phone and scroll through social media that will build the resilient mindset you need for a long career in motorsport. Rarely anything goes to plan in motorsport, so being resilient will put you ahead of the people who let setbacks keep them down.

• Transferable skills: Reading opens your world to new perspectives from some of the most intelligent people in history. You’ll learn skills and knowledge you can transfer and apply to your racing career from places you would never have thought of. You can’t afford to not read.

8 Books for Racing Drivers

1. The Art of Resilience by Ross Edgley

Ross Edgley’s story of swimming around Great Britain in 157 days. It is written as a story of the 3,200 km swim, broken down into easy-to-read chapters for everything that helped Ross get through the swim.

Racing requires resilience both on and off the track. We’re constantly faced with obstacles on and off the track. Maybe it’s financial stress, or you are punted off in the first corner. Edgley’s insights into stoic sports science can help you push through setbacks, fatigue, and intense competition, building a mindset that thrives under pressure.

2. The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday

A practical introduction to Stoicism, teaching how to turn obstacles into opportunities by focusing on what you can control and maintaining composure in adversity.

I’ve already mentioned that rarely anything goes to plan in motorsport, but stoicism can help. Ryan’s book provides a framework to stay calm, adapt, and turn setbacks into learning opportunities.

3. Endure by Alex Hutchinson

A deep dive into the fascinating science of endurance, exploring how mental and physical limits can be pushed further than we think, with lessons from elite athletes.

Racing requires you to endure extreme physical and mental demands (heat, cold, g-forces, endurance racing, etc.). Understanding the mind-body connection can help you optimise your endurance and performance.

I’ve applied the lessons from this book to my training. Any moment when my mind starts to justify quitting early, I remind myself that this mindset is an illusion. You will finish this book with an extra 20% effort in your training going forward.

4. The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson

A collection of Naval Ravikant’s wisdom on wealth, happiness, decision-making, and living a meaningful life, emphasising clarity of thought and long-term thinking.

Balancing a career in motorsport with personal and financial growth is crucial. This book offers insights into building a life and mindset that align with your long-term goals.

5. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

The ultimate guide to mindfulness and living in the present moment. It will help you reduce stress, avoid overthinking, and find peace in the now.

When you’re racing, you need to stay present. Do you remember how that feels? Nothing else in the world matters apart from the next corner. You can apply this to the rest of your life to quiet mental distractions and focus entirely on the most important task.

6. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

The memoir of Nike founder, Phil Knight. He shares the highs and lows of building one of the world’s most iconic brands and the lessons he learned.

From the outside, Nike is a corporate giant. But it took years of working in the trenches to reach the heights of today. Like the beginning of your racing career, you might struggle to go racing. Phil’s story is an inspiration and one of creativity and a willingness to win.

7. Deep Work by Cal Newport

This is an essential guide to staying focused in a distracted world. It teaches you to develop deep, undistracted concentration to excel in your work and life.

Whether analysing data or putting in hours on the sim, preparation is key in motorsport. Cal’s strategies help you focus deeply on your craft, free from distractions.

I read this book while on a solo trip to Berlin. It made the cancelled flight and wait in the airport fly by…

8. Racing Hell by Peter Cate

This is an honest, gritty memoir of the realities of motorsport, sharing the highs, lows, and sacrifices required to compete at a high level. Written by six-time Nürburgring 24-hour winner Peter Cate, it is a guide for racing drivers from nothing to the top step.

Is there a book more relevant to racing drivers than one with “Racing” in the title? Peter’s raw account and detailed stories offer insights into the mental and physical toll of racing. A career in motorsport is one of intense highs and lows. This book gives you a heads-up on what is to come, and how to overcome the lows.

Conclusion

Reading can upgrade your mindset, sharpen your focus, and prepare you for the challenges of motorsport and life.

These books have changed my life, and I hope they can change yours too. Start with one and see how it changes your performance on track and how you approach the rest of your life.