Championing the Human Element in Motorsport: Ellie Thompson on Trust and Tough Topics

In a recent interview, Ellie explained how she approaches these delicate subjects, especially those heavy with emotion, like the loss of a friend or mental health struggles. When asked about her method, she paused to reflect, acknowledging the challenge of creating a space for such deeply personal conversations. “Honestly, that’s such a good question,” she said thoughtfully. “I always try... especially recently, with some of the young drivers that I’ve been working with to create a comfortable environment.” 

Ellie prioritises a relaxed, informal approach. For her, interviews are about connection rather than interrogation. “I want this interview with me to feel really chill. It’s not supposed to be stressful; it’s just supposed to be a fun conversation,” she shared. This approach allows Ellie to engage with drivers as peers rather than as subjects, which she finds particularly meaningful given their similar ages. “At the end of the day, I’m still young, and these drivers are a similar age to me. I’m not coming in like, ‘Right, tell me this, this, and this.’ It’s just a conversation,” she explained.

By ensuring each driver knows her intentions and the interview structure ahead of time, Ellie eliminates the surprise factor that can often cause unnecessary tension. “Everyone gets the questions beforehand,” she said, explaining that the drivers “kind of know the vibe that I want to go with.” Her goal is for every conversation to feel as if it were “like catching up with a friend,” allowing athletes to feel at ease with opening up about personal subjects.

The cultural shift towards greater openness about mental health in sports has not gone unnoticed by Ellie. “A lot of drivers are willing to talk about things like mental health now,” she said. “I think it’s changing so much in this industry and so much in sport in general.” Ellie recognises that although mental health has historically been a “massive taboo” in motorsport, the stigma is slowly fading, making it possible for drivers to speak openly about their emotional well-being.

One reason Ellie’s approach works is her own openness about mental health. “I’m very open about my mental health, and I think having that mindset… it helps,” she reflected. Her ability to show empathy, combined with her own experiences, creates a genuine and supportive environment for drivers to share their stories. However, Ellie emphasises that she respects personal boundaries. “Some people will be like, ‘I don’t want to talk about it,’” she noted, adding that her relaxed demeanour and conversational approach allow drivers to feel comfortable expressing their own limits.

Ultimately, Ellie aims to create a lasting connection with the drivers she interviews. For her, these conversations extend beyond a single interaction; they’re about building relationships that continue as each driver progresses through their career. “There are racing drivers now that I’ve worked with and would still speak to now, would go back to and have another chat with, and it would just be like catching up with a friend,” she said. The relationships she builds go beyond the journalist-subject dynamic, creating a lasting sense of mutual respect and support.

Through her thoughtful approach, Ellie Thompson is proving that motorsport storytelling can be both honest and compassionate. By embracing openness and fostering friendships, she’s giving fans a rare glimpse into the human side of racing, reminding us all that, beyond the track, every driver has a story worth telling.