People often ask me, “Alessio, what does a typical day look like for a professional kart driver?”
Well, it changes from one driver to another, everyone’s got their own routine, but for sure they’0’ve got lots of things in common.
In fact I’ll walk you through how I usually go about it and what many of us tend to do on race days.
Mornings Start With the Basics
First things first, a proper warm-up just to get your body ready to go, as well as your mind (think reaction times and concentration boost).
Before jumping into the first session of the morning, I like to get my body moving.
That could be some stretching, maybe a bit of mobility work, or light exercises to wake everything up right after breakfast.
My breakfast typically includes something healthy and light to fuel me up like fruits and nuts.
It’s super important to get that energy in early, especially if you have lots of back-to-back sessions on track.
And I’ll never get tyred repeating this: drink, drink, drink.
Sip your drinking bottle many times per day, and aim to fill it up 2 or 3 times for a total of 2 to 3 liters per day (even more in the summer months for me).
Getting in the Zone
Before the first session, I like to visualize the track. But I like to do it in pretty much any sessions. Builds discipline and focus.
I walk through it in my head — corner by corner, thinking about braking points, lines, and overtaking spots.
It’s like a mental practice lap.
Sometimes I do breathing exercises too. Helps me stay calm and focus better on the job ahed.
You can even do this while you’re sitting in the kart on the pre-grid for even less than a minute.
Close your eyes, breathe in slow… and just lock in.
Just a few deep breaths will calm you down, while fully oxygenating your body before the green flag’s waved.
Wake Up Your Reactions
A little reaction drill goes a long way. I like using tennis balls or reaction lights before jumping in the kart.
This just gets your reflexes firing and gives your brain a quick warm-up.
Even five minutes of this makes the whole difference.
Trust me on this, your starts will feel sharper and your overtakes too.
On Track, Then Straight to Review
Once I’m done with the session, it’s straight to reviewing data and video.
I always want to know where I can improve — maybe I’m braking too early, maybe the kart setup isn’t perfect, or maybe I’m just missing a bit of confidence somewhere, either on the braking or with the setup in general.
Then I sit down with my mechanic (or in your case, your coach).
We go through everything: driving lines, engine behavior, tire grip, whatever it takes to shave off those last couple of tenths.
Everyone’s Routine Is Different
Like I said at the start, no two drivers are the same.
Some prefer quiet time, others hype themselves up with music.
Some have strict routines, others just go with the flow.
But the goal’s always the same — be faster, smarter, and better prepared for what’s coming ahed.
Whether you’re just getting started or already racing full time, building your own pre-race habits can really level up your performance.
Find what works for you, stay consistent, and tweak things as you go.
Got questions or want to share your own karting routine? DM me on whathsap or on Instagram.
Just Senndit
– Alessio Lorandi
