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What does it take to become a motorsport coach?
As part of National Coaching Week earlier this month, Revolution caught up with Tom Hartley, Head of Competitor Development at Motorsport UK
Why has Motorsport coaching had a lower profile than other sports?
Coaching in motorsport has different roots to that of other sports. The role of the Coach has emerged after the increase in performance coaches( psychologists, strength and conditioning coaches) over the last decade. Historically other people who support the driver, such as mechanics, engineers, and team managers have found themselves involved in‘ coaching’, but there has not been a defined coaching role. In other sports, coaches have been central to the development of athletes, so motorsport is entirely unique in the way it is set up.
As teams think about marginal gains and a competitive advantage, it is clear that human performance and coaching is under-resourced. Supporting the technical, tactical, psychical, and psychological development of a driver or co-driver has the opportunity to be game-changing in motorsport.
Olympic and Paralympic sports have seen coaches as critical to bringing a team together, the organisation, and
20 coordination that a team needs, and motorsport is slightly different in the sense that it has a rich history of instruction and safety coming first. Coaching is the next step.
How is coaching in motorsport perceived?
From my early experiences stepping in to motorsport, I can see that the role of the coach is a‘ bolt-on’ to the support a driver already received. Coaching still takes place through the way that instructors, mechanics etc engage with the driver, but the coach is a new support system. Coaches can offer support & challenge, help drivers think about their short-term performance and long-term aspirations, and provide ongoing help and support.
Coaching is a sleeping giant in motorsport, creating and supporting more champions of the future and providing engaging environments for younger people to get into the sport. Coaches are guardians of the sport and can support drivers to fulfil their potential.
Revolution- June 2025