The pressure of racing at home

In motorsport, competing at home elevates expectations, but when a team’s home race is one of the most famous of them all, it can naturally give rise to stress and pressure.

This week, Maserati MSG Racing returns to its origins, as Formula E transforms the streets of Monaco into the Principality’s iconic arena that has hosted motor racing action for nearly 100 years.

In the run up to our home event – the crown jewel of Formula E’s ninth season – we caught up with our Team Principal, James Rossiter, and Racing Director, Jérémy Colançon, to share how pressure can be managed and converted into a performance advantage.

“Coming to our home race, I don’t feel any extra pressure at all,” says a cool, calm,and collected Jérémy as he looks ahead to the 2023 Monaco E-Prix.

“If anything, racing at home is a good thing for us because it reduces the amount of travel we usually have to do.

“At the same time, that’s strange, because competing in a very familiar environment is not something we’re used to.

“It means we’re not approaching the weekend in the same way, but that’s why it’s important for us to have solid processes and procedures in place.”

For James, stress and pressure can be converted to adrenaline and excitement, and that’s how the captain of our ship will steer and sail into the weekend.

“Everyone has a different attitude, but from my perspective, it’s more of the added excitement than the added pressure,” explains James.

“We have an opportunity to taste success at home, which in itself is special, but the fact that we’re in Monaco makes the experience more unique.

“Monaco has so much motor racing history and knowing that we have the ability to put on a great show, with our family and friends close by, naturally ramps up the anticipation.

“The circuit has so much heritage, but also prestige. I remember coming here when I was a kid, and I was very fortunate to stand on the podium and receive a trophy from Prince Albert.

“Now, to be here as the Team Principal of Monaco’s only racing team, after experiencing everything I’ve been fortunate to experience, is a great honour. It’s natural for the excitement to be high.”

Although the additional pressure may not impact James and Jérémy, it doesn’t mean we’re immune as a team, and that’s why we need to manage stress carefully to create a sustainable working environment.

This attitude runs through our culture, but an unbreakable spirit – which stems from an attitude of support through wellness – is a key cornerstone to controlling stress.

“A key strength of our team is their fitness and the physical exercise that they do to stay in shape,” continues James.

“This is great to stay well physically, but I think it really helps with stress management too, and it gives people the opportunity to release the stress and pressure that they’re facing.

“By releasing stress before the weekend, it means we can approach it refreshed in ourselves.”

Jérémy agrees. “Sport is very important for team building as well, from my perspective. It’s one of our strengths, I would say,” he adds.

“I think it’s great that we’re able to build a strong team by pushing one another to stay fit, physically.

“But in general, I think we need to treat Monaco like a normal race – we can’t let where we’re racing impact our performance.

“That’s why we need to follow the same procedures and trust the processes we have.”