Motorsport is a demanding environment. Pressure is immense and results are measured in thousandths of a second, so mental strength can make as much difference as physical performance. Having a decades-long history of training and developing some of the sport's most outstanding young talents, PREMA has long recognized the importance of this aspect, embedding mental wellbeing into the heart of its culture.
In addition to providing drivers with a family-like environment where they can make progress and thrive, for over a decade the team has worked with its sport psychologist. Marco Casarotti, the founder of Inside Racing Academy, is an experienced and highly-trained professional with a long racing pedigree.
“In motorsport, the pressure on young drivers is immense,” says Casarotti. “With so few seats available in Formula 1 and drivers getting younger every year, many enter the sport as teenagers or in their early twenties. The window to prove themselves is narrow, and expectations are sky-high — from teams, sponsors, families, and most of all, from the drivers themselves.”
At PREMA, mental health is treated as a cornerstone of sustainable performance. The team promotes open conversations and proactive support to help its drivers and team members navigate these pressures.
“True success isn’t just about fitness or skill,” Casarotti adds. “It’s about balance — the ability to manage pressure, recover from setbacks, and stay focused across a long season.”
These efforts are built around three main pillars:
• Normalize mental health discussions: addressing stress or anxiety openly reduces stigma and fosters early support.
• Prioritize rest and balance: performance improves with recovery - the team respects recovery times for its members.
• Build strong team connections: The team maintains a supportive, human-centered environment sustains motivation and resilience.
These principles are not static. PREMA continues to refine its approach as the sport evolves, ensuring that mental wellbeing remains a living, active part of the team’s culture. The team recognizes that wellbeing is an ongoing process, and as the demands of motorsport change, it remains committed to adapting its practices and supporting every member’s growth both on and off the track.
Whether it's physical or mental, PREMA recognizes that wellbeing drives performance. By prioritizing mental health, the team aims to nurture not just successful drivers, but to cultivate and rely on confident, balanced individuals ready for the challenges of both racing and life beyond the track.