Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff recently revealed a simple ploy that many of his team’s employees \u2013 including Valtteri Bottas \u2013 and himself use to build up their motivation against a rival.<\/p>\n
Wolff has often highlighted Bottas’ mental strength and fortitude in the face of often painful defeats at the hands of teammate Lewis Hamilton or misfortune.<\/p>\n
The Finn has struggled to catch a break so far this season, and his miserable Monaco Grand Prix in which his hopes of a podium finish were dashed by a recalcitrant wheel nut during a pitstop was just one more setback Bottas’ psych was left to deal with.<\/p>\n
But Wolff revealed in Barcelona a psychological scheme to help fend off the demons and boost one’s motivation. The Austrian contends that placing a photo of a rival or worst enemy in a personal spot where it will be frequently viewed will do wonders for one’s ambitions.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“You could place a photo of that person in the calendar or on the desk, and every time there is a little lack of motivation, you look at these people,” Wolff explained.<\/p>\n
“Everyone is free to do it. Of the people I work with, I keep seeing such photos pop out. It’s good. It’s called enemy building, and it’s a powerful psychological weapon.<\/p>\n
“As for myself, I have two photos that I always carry with me and that are on my desktop. Neither of the two people has anything to do with Formula 1 or with racing altogether. It’s about business.”<\/p>\n
And Bottas has also followed his team boss’ recommendation.<\/p>\n
“I don’t carry a picture of Lewis or Max in my pocket,” Bottas told Motorsport.com<\/em>. “I have one, actually inspired by the chats with Toto last year.<\/p>\n “I have one thing on my computer, a desktop picture, that is a motivation to me every time I open the computer.<\/p>\n “It’s not really a positive thing. It’s a negative thing that always reminds me to show them what I can do.”<\/p>\n But the nine-time Grand Prix winner is mum on what image “that negative thing” actually is. “I won’t tell you,” he said.<\/p>\n Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers<\/p>\n Keep up to date with all the F1 news via <\/em>Facebook<\/em> and <\/em>Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff recently revealed a simple ploy that many of his team’s employees \u2013 including Valtteri Bottas \u2013 and himself use to build up their motivation against a rival. Wolff has often highlighted Bottas’ mental strength and fortitude in the face of often painful defeats at the hands of teammate Lewis Hamilton … <\/p>\n