lucky personal items still hold sway on F1 grid

[John S]

Sainz recovers lucky grey cap, flung to crowd by an F1 driver.

No it wasn't Verstappen - which was my first thought as well,    it was fellow Spaniard, one Fernando Alonso Díaz.   

Fan wanted too big reward to give cap back.    But why are these lucky items so valuable in driver's eyes, given such a technical and logical world existing in the pitlane?      

http://www.grandprix247.com/2015/05/20/sainz-recovers-lucky-cap-which-went-missing-in-barcelona/

[Alianora La Canta]

I was reading an old issue of Scientific American Mind yesterday (from February) and it said that lucky rituals such as lucky items are proven to be effective negative thought stoppers. Maybe that's why Carlos was so bothered about losing the cap.

At least it's less gross than lucky underwear...

[F1fanaticBD]

At least it's less gross than lucky underwear...

  

[Alianora La Canta]

At least it's less gross than lucky underwear...

  

I believe Alan Jones, David Coulthard and Felipe Massa have all had them at various times. (Though I think Felipe took the precaution of multiple pairs of lucky underwear...)

[Scott]

But why are these lucky items so valuable in driver's eyes, given such a technical and logical world existing in the pitlane?      

I've always thought race drivers were some of the most superstitious athletes out there.  Rituals galore.

[lkjohnson1950]

So very true. I bet at least one driver on the grid has "lucky" underwear.

 

[Steve A.]

Coulthard could still be wearing his

[Alianora La Canta]

So very true. I bet at least one driver on the grid has "lucky" underwear.

 

Felipe Massa is still on the grid, so that bet is a safe one...