Gear Box – Juan Manuel Correa

We dive into the paddocks to take a look at the essential items for our drivers on a race weekend. From iPads and AirPods to helmets and hats and much more, we find out what they can’t travel without.

Juan Manuel Correa is up next…

Books

I like to read a lot and I do it during race weekends as well. I am currently reading a book by James Hewitt who has worked with Aki Hintsa. It is kind of coaching for drivers - a physical and mental coaching for drivers. They have a programme which is quite famous and it’s specific for racing drivers. I am always reading and I like to read a lot of biographies of drivers too. For example, I have read the biographies of both Mark Webber and David Coulthard.

I mainly read things about racing because for me to read, it has to be something that interests me. If you told me to read some poems, I would kill myself [laughs], I have to find something that I am into.

Foam roller

I always have my physio with me at the races, but it is still nice in-between sessions to use the foam roller. It is something that I keep in the truck and bring to every race just in case, because it works well for me.

Headphones

I think you probably get a lot of those with drivers because we are always listening to music during the weekend. It helps you to zone out and concentrate and get away from the chaos of the paddock which is important. It also helps you to get through all of the travelling. What I listen to changes: Latin music, rock, it depends what is new at the time. If I hear a song that I like, I will download and listen to it for the whole weekend pretty much.

Sunglasses

Classic driver right? Everyone thinks it is for the looks, but for me it is just more comfortable if it is sunny outside. They are made for a reason [laughs]. When we are waiting on the grid for a long time or out in the sun for a long time and then you put your helmet on, everything just looks so bright, so they are important.

IPad

I use it a lot actually and I only brought it this year. You don't know how much you need it until you have one! [laughs]. I do all of my track notes on the iPad and my post session notes, I use it for everything. It has the pen as well so you can do proper notes, it is incredible. Then at night, I can watch Netflix, I watch a lot of race replays during the weekend from previous years on my iPad as well. It has become pretty essential.