Funny Ways Being a Racing Fan Can Influence Your Everyday Life: A Personal Reflection

As the second race of the Formula E season has come and gone, bringing with it all the highs of success and the lows of heartbreak, we now face a month-long wait until the next races in Jeddah on 14 and 15 February. In the meantime, life continues with its usual routine: trips to the supermarket, waiting at red lights, and other mundane moments. But if you’re a motorsport enthusiast like me, you’ll notice how this passion sneaks its way into everyday life in unexpected and often hilarious ways.

Take red lights, for example. I can’t be the only one who finds themselves bracing for the green light as though I’m lining up on the starting grid of a race. My hands tighten on the wheel, my focus sharpens, and the moment the light turns green, I’m ready to launch. Of course, this "launch" is more about being first off the line at a modest 20 km/h rather than achieving Formula E-level speeds, but it’s the mindset that counts.

Then there’s the gym. Why do I find myself gravitating towards exercises that resemble racing-specific training? I’ve convinced myself that training my neck is essential—using plates that resemble steering wheels, no less. Sure, strong neck muscles are critical for drivers handling high G-forces in corners, but does the occasional karting session justify this? Probably not. Yet, there I am, justifying it because it makes the workout more fun. And honestly, having fun at the gym means I go more consistently, which is great for my overall fitness and health. So, in a way, motorsport-inspired workouts are a win for me.

Speaking of health, I’ve noticed how racing drivers have inspired me to pay more attention to my body. Seeing drivers share stats from their smartwatches—tracking recovery, sleep quality, and other metrics—got me curious about my own health. It’s fascinating to see how sleep isn’t just about the number of hours you sleep but the quality of that rest. Now, I eagerly check my sleep score every morning, like a driver analysing telemetry. It’s a small but rewarding ritual that adds a touch of racing science to my day.

And let’s not forget workouts. Have you even had a good gym session if you didn’t analyse your heart rate, recovery time, and calories burned like a performance engineer dissecting lap data? The parallels are uncanny. Reviewing my post-workout stats makes me feel like a pro optimising performance for the next session. It’s all about finding that edge, whether you’re chasing podiums or personal bests.

Another funny crossover is how racing fans approach time. Motorsports thrive on precision; every millisecond matters. This mindset can spill over into everyday life, from timing your morning coffee perfectly to navigating tight schedules like a pit stop. You start treating daily tasks with the same focus and urgency that teams exhibit during a stop in the pits.

Even shopping can feel like a strategic operation. I’ve caught myself planning grocery runs as though they were stints in a race. Which route will have the least traffic?

Can I minimise the number of trips by optimising my list? It’s all about efficiency, just like in motorsport.

Ultimately, being a racing fan adds a layer of excitement and humour to the ordinary. Whether it’s waiting at traffic lights, tracking fitness goals, or strategising daily tasks, motorsport has a way of making life feel a bit more dynamic. Sure, I’ll likely never experience the thrill of driving an actual Formula E car, but these small moments allow me to bring a bit of that world into my own. And that’s the beauty of being a fan—finding joy in the overlap between your passion and your everyday life.