From racing driver to racing driver coach
I’m Danny Watts, a British racing driver and the founder of Peak Lap Performance. I have spent more than 30 years in motorsport and have been coaching racing drivers since 2002.
I started racing karts in 1993 and worked my way through the junior single-seater ladder, winning the Formula Renault UK Championship in 2002 before moving up to British Formula 3. I went on to represent Team Great Britain in A1 Grand Prix and spent much of my professional career in sportscars and endurance racing.
- years in motorsport
- 30+
- Formula Renault UK champion
- 2002
- Le Mans 24 Hours starts
- 8
- Le Mans class winner
- 2x
How my approach has changed
When I started coaching, it was mostly about what you could see from the side of the circuit. Corner watching, spotting where a driver could improve, then working with them to find lap time.
Over more than two decades, motorsport has changed and so has the way I coach. Data analysis, onboard video and simulation let us understand a driver’s performance in far greater detail, and much more can now be done before a driver even arrives at the circuit.
The biggest change, though, has been recognising that driving technique is only one part of the picture. Confidence, mindset, communication, preparation, pressure and wellbeing all affect how a driver performs and develops. What began as coaching someone to drive a racing car faster has become a much more complete approach to developing and supporting the driver as a whole.
Lived experience
After stepping away from racing myself, I went through and came out the other side of my own mental health challenges. That gave me a personal understanding of what can come with change, identity and moving on from the sport, and it is a big part of why wellbeing sits at the heart of Peak Lap Performance rather than being an add-on.
One of the biggest things I can offer a driver is the opportunity to learn from my experience, including the mistakes I made along the way. If I can help them avoid those same mistakes, we can fast-forward their development.
How I work
No two drivers are the same. Everyone brings different experiences, personalities, strengths, backgrounds and ways of learning, so my approach is always individual. I want every driver to feel respected, listened to and comfortable being themselves.
I will be honest with you. Coaching is not about telling you what you want to hear; it is about clear, constructive feedback that helps you understand and improve. It is also a collaboration. My aim is to help you become more self-aware and capable of finding your own solutions, not dependent on a coach.
Performance and wellbeing should support each other. Motorsport is demanding, and getting faster should never come at the expense of the person.
Qualifications and standards
- Motorsport UKARDS Grade A Instructor
- Motorsport UKLevel 2 Certified Coach
- BSc (Honours)Psychology with Counselling
- MHFA EnglandMental Health First Aider
- SafeguardingEnhanced DBS checked
These underpin the professional standards, safeguarding and duty of care that I believe good driver coaching should be built on.
Our values
- Professionalism. High standards in everything we do.
- Respect. Every driver treated with dignity and fairness, whatever their background or level.
- Honesty. Constructive, considered feedback, and accountability for our own work.
- Inclusivity. An environment where people can learn, ask questions and make mistakes without fear of judgement.
- Progression. Always looking for better ways to help a driver develop, as a competitor and as a person.
Looking ahead
Peak Lap Performance is growing. As well as one-to-one coaching, we are developing structured driver development programmes, workshops and work with teams and organisations, in the UK and internationally, while keeping the personal approach that has always been at the heart of what we do.
Let’s talk about your next step
Wherever you are in your motorsport journey, the first conversation is about understanding you and what you need.
