- The Pits
Mercedes turns to All Blacks mental guru
Mercedes has drafted in the help of the sports psychologist credited with helping New Zealand end its Rugby World Cup jynx in a bid to continue its own dominant start to the season.
Dr Ceri Evans, who worked with the All Blacks to overcome their reputation for choking on the big stage by winning the World Cup on home soil in 2011, has been brought in by Toto Wolff, according to a report in the Telegraph. Evans was reportedly on hand in China to watch mechanics during qualifying and the race to observe how Mercedes is dealing with the pressure of being so far in front.
It means we may well start to hear terms such as "Red Head" and "Blue Head" in the paddock this season, phrases coined by Evans to describe the different ways athletes deal with pressure situations. He also devised a system of "triggers" to help the All Blacks switch between defensive and attacking mentalities quickly. With Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg likely to be battling between themselves for victory again in Spain, Evans may well start earning his money sooner rather than later this season.
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