José Mourinho hails F1 pressure and urges football to follow its example at Madrid Grand Prix

Mourinho finds familiar pressure — and a lesson for football — in F1

José Mourinho brought together two of his sporting passions at the Spanish Grand Prix, visiting Madrid’s new Madring circuit just hours after watching Real Madrid in action at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The Portuguese coach, a long-time Formula 1 enthusiast, said the first race at the circuit carried special significance because it was being staged close to Real Madrid’s training base. He had followed the construction process while travelling to and from work and described the growing anticipation around the event as increasingly emotional.

“I’ve enjoyed it [F1] for a while, and I’ve been to a few races, but of course this is the first one [at the Madring],” Mourinho told F1.com.

‘Huge pressure’ in both sports

Mourinho sees an obvious connection between elite football and Formula 1: the intense pressure placed on competitors at the highest level. But he believes F1 has developed a more effective way of preparing its stars for the biggest moments.

“You know, it’s huge pressure for both,” he said. “When you have sports at the highest level, we are always speaking about huge pressure.”

He argued that football can sometimes isolate players and staff before matches, while F1 drivers remain engaged with fans, media and colleagues before climbing into the cockpit.

“I feel that they [F1] are one step ahead of us in terms of the way they approach the big moments,” Mourinho said. “I think we have to learn with them, the way they can be relaxed, and half an hour later they can be in the car fighting for their lives, because they take risks.”

A regular presence in the paddock

Mourinho has attended several Grands Prix in recent seasons, including the British Grand Prix, and said he enjoys visiting qualifying and practice sessions because they allow him to interact more closely with people in the paddock. He also revealed that he regularly asks Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali questions as he tries to understand the sport.

Asked whether he could imagine leaving football to become an F1 team boss, Mourinho responded with characteristic caution: “I have no idea! I just have to learn.”

During his latest visit, Mourinho caught up with Domenicali and four-time world champion Max Verstappen, among other figures. He said the warm reception he has received over the years has helped create a close relationship with the F1 community.

Although the visit to the Madring was brief, Mourinho’s comments made clear that his interest in Formula 1 is more than a passing curiosity. The veteran coach expects to return to the paddock, continuing to study a sport whose pressure, preparation and public-facing culture he believes football should examine more closely.