Fully Funded PhD: Building a profile of formula racing drivers at different stages of development

There is a shortage of high-quality data relating to the key determinants of driving performance, as well as the anthropometric, physical, psychological, and cognitive characteristics of elite Formula 1 racing drivers, with even less on drivers across different stages of development (e.g., karting to Formula 2). Whilst an understanding of the key determinants of performance, and characteristics of successful performance, is vital to optimise driver training and development, this information is currently unavailable. As such, team managers, drivers, and conditioning coaches are lacking the required information to implement effective training and monitoring programmes across stages of driver development.

This PhD programme will investigate the anthropometric, physical, physiological, psychological, and cognitive characteristics of Formula racing drivers across stages of development (i.e., karting, F4, F3, F2, F1), and identify the key determinants performance. The findings of this work will provide information to inform the selection, training, and development of male and female Formula racing car drivers, raising performance standards across the sport. Work will utilise the world class facilities in the Institute of Sport within Manchester Metropolitan University.

Project aims and objectives

This project aims to investigate the key anthropometric, physical, psychological, and cognitive characteristics that differentiate performance standards across different stages of development in Formula series racing drivers.

This project will provide:

1. A robust and effective profiling battery; informing future practice.
2. A high-quality dataset; exceeding previous published methodological standards.
3. A novel dataset; addressing gaps in current knowledge and understanding.
4. Guidance for team managers, drivers, and conditioning coaches; on the selection, training, and development of female and male racing drivers.
5. Support to More Than Equal’s mission to find the first female Formula 1 world champion.