The Secret Lives of Formula E Drivers: Furry Companions and Their Surprising Benefits

They are cute and fluffy and have found their way into the hearts of many a Formula E driver: pets. Seeing as there is currently no Formula E race (with the next one coming up on February 14 in Jeddah), what better time to explore the lives of the series' drivers beyond the track? A quick glance at their social media feeds reveals the intriguing trend: many Formula E drivers have one or more furry companions. 

For most, it is dogs who have found a place in the drivers' homes, though cats also make their presence felt in some. Most notably, Season 9 world champion Jake Dennis and his furry companion. His dog Billy has attended many races, keeping his mum and dad company while at the race track and taking away a lot of the spotlight when accompanying his parents. He even has his own Instagram account (@officialbillyboosey)!

Most recently Nissan Formula E's Oliver Rowland also welcomed a new arrival. A young golden retriever found a way into the British driver's home. An announcement shared by his wife Lauren on Instagram. 

Likewise, Jaguar's Nick Cassidy introduced an adorable Pomeranian to his Monaco home and already took the little guy for a run around the Principality, as was shown on his partner Nat's Instagram story. 

This raises an interesting question: why do so many racing drivers have pets? Could these companions offer benefits that extend beyond mere companionship, perhaps even enhancing their performance on track? Let’s delve into the potential advantages of pet ownership and what we too (as non-professional racing drivers) can all learn from it.

The Benefits of Owning a Pet

Owning a pet has long been known to reduce stress and improve the overall well-being of their owner. Research suggests that pets can serve as significant contributors to better health, reducing the risk of certain diseases and encouraging positive daily routines. These benefits may be especially valuable for professional racing drivers, who often endure high-pressure environments on and off the track. For the significant others and families of these drivers, a pet can also be of big help. They can serve as a companion, so they do not feel alone while the other pet parent is away racing and doing their job in a completely different country.

Physical and Emotional Well-Being

Beyond emotional support, pets can have measurable effects on physical health. Activities like petting or cuddling an animal have been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even slow heart rates. Such physiological changes may contribute to improved focus and resilience — qualities crucial for high-performance athletes, like Formula E drivers.

Structured Routines

Pets require consistent care, from feeding schedules to daily walks. This enforced structure can help individuals maintain a balanced routine, a benefit particularly relevant to racing drivers and their families whose lives are otherwise dominated by the unpredictable demands of competition. For dog owners, for example, this structure involves daily walks which is an added bonus of physical exercise, fresh air, and social interaction with other dog owners.

Dogs as Emotional and Social Support

Dogs, in particular, excel at sensing and responding to human emotions. They’re known to comfort their owners during moments of sadness or stress by simply being present or offering physical gestures of reassurance. For drivers or driver partners whose lives might leave them feeling isolated, this companionship can be invaluable.

Lessons for the Rest of Us

The benefits of pet ownership aren’t exclusive to professional athletes, though. For anyone, the companionship of a pet can alleviate stress, improve mood, and create opportunities for connection. Even if owning a pet isn’t feasible, there are ways to experience these benefits:

• look if you can help out in your local shelter
• pet sitting your friends' and/ or family's pets while they are away
• see if there are farms nearby that allow people to visit and spend time with animals (like alpaca farms that offer to walk with the animals or something similar)

Benefits for Neurodivergent Humans

Pets can offer unique advantages to individuals with a neurodivergent brain:

• ADHD: Caring for a pet can help create routines and improve time management.
• Autism: Pets provide unconditional companionship, helping to build confidence and social skills. They can also serve as a calming presence during sensory overload.

Closing Thoughts

For racing drivers and their close families, pets may be more than mere companions — they might be secret weapons in maintaining peak performance. The emotional and physical benefits of pet ownership, from stress reduction to improved well-being, are as relevant to athletes as they are to the rest of us. Whether you’re chasing trophies or simply looking to improve your daily life, the lessons from owning a pet are universal.

So next time you see a Formula E driver sharing photos of their beloved pets, remember: these furry companions may be playing a bigger role in their success than meets the eye.

For a closer look at the furry friends of the Formula E drivers, head over to Bluesky. I created a thread solely dedicated to snaps of Formula E pets: you can find it here

Sources: 

• https://www.psichi.org/blogpost/987366/503955/Is-Pet-Ownership-Life-Changing-Recent-Research-Highlights-How-Owning-a-Pet-Truly-Affects-Us 
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-mind-body-connection/202010/the-psychological-and-physical-benefits-having-pet 
• https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/pets-and-mental-health