Mourinho uncovers what puts Formula 1 'one step ahead' of football

Last weekend saw the first-ever Grand Prix take place at the Madring, although the limited amount of overtaking during the race did not exactly help the new circuit showcase its full potential.

Real Madrid also had a strong connection to the event, with the club becoming a Local Event Supporter of the Grand Prix. The link was particularly natural given the circuit's location in the Valdebebas area, just a few hundred metres from Real Madrid City, the club's training complex.

In conversation with Formula 1's official website, the Portuguese manager explained that he already follows the sport and has attended several races. With his workplace located close to the Madring, Mourinho was also able to follow the construction of the circuit and witness the growing excitement as the inaugural event approached.

Mourinho also reflected on the pressure faced by footballers and Formula 1 drivers at the highest level. However, he believes F1 approaches the build-up to major moments differently, with drivers able to remain more open and relaxed before competing, while football traditionally tends to isolate its protagonists ahead of important events.

“It’s huge pressure for both. When you have sports at the highest level, we are always speaking about huge pressure. But I feel that they are one step ahead of us in terms of the way they approach the big moments. (In football) we close each other (off), I believe, too much, also because of tradition.”

He therefore sees Formula 1 as an example football can learn from. Despite the enormous pressure and risks involved, drivers still interact with each other, meet people and complete media and PR commitments shortly before getting into their cars. The Portuguese manager was particularly impressed by their ability to remain relaxed before quickly switching their focus to competing on track.

The close connection between Real Madrid and the Grand Prix also brought, besides Mourinho, some familiar faces from the football world into the Formula 1 paddock. Before the race, Verstappen met several members of the Spanish club, with Red Bull later sharing footage of the encounter. Among those featured were Arda Guler, Denzel Dumfries, Eder Militao, record signing Yan Diomande, Brahim Díaz and Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos.

Verstappen also spent some time speaking with Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese manager is back in charge of Real Madrid this season, having previously led the Spanish giants between 2010 and 2013.