Media: The Double-Edged Sword for Motorsport Athletes

By Isabel Tay

The media obligations of motorsport athletes, especially for the pinnacle ones like Formula 1 and MotoGP, tend to be extensive. Some of this includes team and sponsor commitments, pre- and post-race conferences, post-qualifying interviews and post-race debriefs.

Drivers understand that these are inevitable due to the nature of the sport and thus accept it. However, it can get overwhelming when the media is overbearing or insensitive. Given the importance extensive media obligations, it is important to understand their impact on athletes' mental health.

A literature review was conducted by Ng et al. (2023) on the media’s impacts on athletes’ mental health. They examined previous studies that highlighted the impact of both traditional and social media on athletes' mental health, interpreting the experiences of athletes with regards to media interactions.

Their study highlighted that media can have both positive and negative effects on athletes' mental health.

Negative effects

• Increased pressure and scrutiny: Constant media attention can create stress and anxiety due to high expectations and continuous performance evaluation.

• Distorted self-image: Unrealistic media portrayals can cause athletes to feel inadequate, leading to low self-esteem and mental health challenges.

Positive effects

• Increased visibility and recognition: Media exposure can boost an athlete's confidence by publicly acknowledging their achievements and hard work.

• Support from fans and communities: Positive media coverage can create a strong support network, enhancing an athlete’s sense of belonging and wellbeing.

Strategies & Action Planning

The following are ways you can manage media's impact on your performance and use it to your advantage.

Attend media training.

• You can attend training to better handle pressures and obligations of media interactions. Media training can help you communicate effectively and manage the stress associated with media exposure.

Set healthy boundaries with media and social platforms.

• Designating media-free times or curating your online environment can protect mental health and reduce comparison-based stress.

Create a personal support system.

• Forming your own support network—friends, mentors, mental health professionals—can provide guidance and emotional reinforcement when dealing with stress or criticism.

References

Ng, T., Sanders, H., Merrill, S., & Faustin, M. (2023). Media’s effect on athletes’ mental health. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 43(1), 187-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csm.2023.06.022

About the Contributor: Isabel Tay

Passionate about Formula 1 and the psychology behind elite performance, Isabel writes about the unique mental challenges faced by drivers at the pinnacle of motorsport. Her articles explore how focus, pressure, identity, and resilience shape life on and off the track. She hopes to de-stigmatise mental health in motorsports and highlight the psychological realities behind the glamour. Through race analysis and research-based insight, she aims to open up deeper conversations about mental wellbeing in high-performance environments. Join her in uncovering what it truly takes—mentally and emotionally—to race at 300km/h.

Disclaimer

The summaries and discussions presented here are based on published research in the field of sport, exercise, and performance psychology. They are intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice, diagnosis, or prescribed treatment.

Always seek the advice of your doctor, mental health professional, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental health concerns. This includes inquiries about changes to your existing routine or the implementation of any strategies mentioned that might have significant implications on your health.

Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.