What are the three qualities of a good racing driver?

According to Rob Smedley, the three qualities every racing driver needs are speed, consistency and resilience.

Can speed be learned in karting?

Yes. While some speed comes from natural ability, it can also be developed through practice, better lines and learning how to approach each corner.

Why is consistency important in racing?

Being quick once isn't enough. A good driver needs to repeat that pace lap after lap, which is a learned skill developed through practice.

What does resilience mean for a racing driver?

Resilience is about mental state: being willing to learn, willing to progress, and able to get back up after setbacks.

How can young drivers practise these skills?

The best way is to spend more time on track at structured practice sessions, where drivers can focus on technique, apply coaching and build confidence lap by lap.

What Makes a Good Racing Driver? Rob Smedley Explains the Three Qualities That Matter

27 August 2026 · 4 min read

Rob Smedley with a driver in the FAT Racing Formula 4 car

What does it take to become a good racing driver?

Is it natural speed? Race experience? Winning?

According to FKL Founder and former F1 engineer Rob Smedley, there are three qualities every racing driver needs: speed, consistency and resilience.

In this video, Rob explains what each one means, why they're important and how drivers can develop them through practice.

1. Speed

You've got to be quick.

Speed comes from natural ability, but it's also something that can be learned.

Practice plays a big part. So does becoming better with your lines and learning how to approach each corner.

As Rob explains, the focus shouldn't be on chasing the lap time. It's about concentrating on getting the next corner right.

The lap time is the result.

2. Consistency

Being quick once isn't enough.

A good racing driver needs to be able to find that same pace lap after lap, consistently finding those tenths.

And that's a learned skill.

You might not be able to do it in your first session, or even after your first month of driving. But with practice, you can develop the ability to put together fast, consistent laps.

3. Resilience

The third quality is resilience and mental state.

You have to be willing to learn. You have to be willing to progress.

And you're going to get knocked down.

The important thing is to get back up and keep showing up.

Every session is an opportunity to learn something, improve and keep moving forward.

You're Always Learning

These three qualities aren't just for experienced racing drivers.

Whether you're a rookie coming to your first FKL session or you've been driving with us for years, you're always developing your speed, consistency and resilience.

There's always another corner to improve, another lap to make more consistent and another opportunity to learn.

Keep showing up. Keep getting quicker. Keep getting more consistent.

Ready to Practise?

The best way to develop as a driver is to spend more time on track.

Find your local region and book an upcoming session.

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