I think that seating position is the most underrated aspect of driving (in general). Some people dont understand the phisics of driving, they don´t look for the best feeling of the car, and I get that because not everyone are petrolheads like us, but this should be lesson nº1. This video along with the one that Robert did talking about harnesses and head protection should be mandatory before entry at any track day!! Great video Misha. Greetings from Spain!

Excellent video. I have a friend who used to drive "fast and furious style"...seat reclined as much as possible, he could only hold the wheel with stretched hands. His logic was that, by reclining so much, he was lowering the center of gravity of the car, lol. When I told him to try and bring his body close to the wheel and bend his hands at about 90 degrees, he was SHOCKED. He suddenly realized how much better control of the car he now had through the wheel, and how much more feedback through the seat. After that, he never changed his seating position again.

Please do more of these! Things like a track prep breakdown from getting your car ready, getting fitted for a helmet, and any other relevant things on how to be prepared to hit the track in a smart/safe way would be awesome. Then when at the track with the driving portion there is just so much to breakdown like how/when to brake, trail braking, corner enter/exit strategy, how to keep the weight of the car where you need it, when to send it in straight line speed, how to get familiar with the track, etc. It would all be really useful information from you with your experience!

Excellent explanation of important points for nearly all drivers, on track and on road. Love these. Thank you. One additional point is the distance from the steering wheel to your chest, which should be no less than 10” (25cm), to allow for airbag deployment without undue trauma. Finally, as a Volvo Polestar owner, LOVE YOUR HOODIE!!!!!

this is going to be a timeless video. excellent walkthrough my dude.

Always heard that a good rule of thumb for adjusting your arms/seat/steering wheel is: when sat all the way in the seat and comfortable, you should be able to rest your wrists on the top of the steering wheel with straight arms

One of the overlooked fundamentals of driving Thanks for the extra tips Misha

Man this video saved me. I’ve always had issues getting smooth shifts in my GRC, and I had no idea how to fix it. Practice practice practice nothing helped. I followed your seating guide and turns out I was sitting HORRIBLY wrong. Within just a few driving cycles of getting used to your seating position, my shifts are smooth as butter and I have confidence like never before. Thanks Misha 2 years ago. You’re awesome

I would like to add that if you have an impact with your legs fully extended to floor the pedals, it's not just your knees at extra risk but the force of impact will be transmitted to your hip, which is much more vulnerable and could end up in a permanent disability.

Absolutely crucial point about never using the full harness without the HANS device! Helmet always comes first then the system of harness, either just standard three point or hans+4(6) point harnesses.

Great video! I am 6'2", and my friends/wife laugh at how close I sit. Mid engine helps see the road more than a giant dohc V8 upfront... but I still like to be close :)

Awesome video Misha! For the foot position I always use the clutch pedal as an easy guide. If the leg is still lightly bent when fully pressing the clutch I am good. And I just simulate that in a car with an automatic transmission.

Every time I watch videos like this I wonder why my driving instructors never told me this :D I guess I'm asking too much because when I took my first lesson the instructor was angry because *drum roll* I haven't driven a car before... P.S. Driving schools are mandatory in my country and this was the only one in town where I live.

Huge appreciation for this video. Please do more of them! This is very useful and important knowledge that may make the streets safer. Greetings from Poland!

Very well communicated, thanks! Appreciate the thought that went into this and the production quality. Looking forward to the next one!

YES PLEASE do more of these! Mum's already training for our first laps next year and the more she knows the better!

Great video Misha. These tips are fundamental! Keep going with this format about the best tactics and advices.

Good video

this is the same in general driving, the lad who lived next door to me had his seat in a position to look 'cool' (seat forwards and reclined back looking like he was on a sun lounger) he had 3 crashes that he paid for repairs himself to keep his (then new) insurance from going crazy expensive, when asked why he kept crashing he said ' i couldn't steer quick enough or i got my pedals messed up'. told him his problem was his seating position and he wouldn't listen until i dragged him out of his car and changed it myself and sat next to him on a 50 mile drive, his response was amazing 'i feel in control now' was his words, yes mate you were trying to look cool but you looked a fool with your front wing hanging off and no front bumper or NSF headlamp if i see you back in your old position i'll beat the living daylights out of you. 15 years later he's sat the same position as i gave him and no crashes.

Underrated and very much appreciated on making the driving experience 100% better

thanks for this Video I'm excited for the rest of the series. I'd love to hear about car balance and safety related themes like this one. (HANS, breaking technique, how to react in an emergency Situation like flat tire, oil spill, coolant spill, driving over the orange stuff that soaks up the oil and others).

Misha, I’ve studied the subject “Proper driving position” and I must say, you are right on the spot sir. Well done, very well done explanations and thanks for educating people the right way.

A topic suggestion : steering technique (correct positioning and use of the hands) - there are KZfaq videos out there saying whatever

Love this video! Will send this to some folks for sure. You already mentioned it, but would be great to hear about advanced left foot braking techniques - brake + throttle at same time, mid corner weight balance adjustments, etc.

That was a very good DMO Deejay impression at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="94">1:34</a> 😂

Great vid, Misha. Really well done.

This was extremely informative. The great thing is these tips can be used for street driving too. I just learned that I have been driving with the wrong seating position all these years. I drive with the seat as far back as possible to the point where the pedals are just in reach and recline the seat ever so slightly so it's not upright. These are going to change effective immediately. I am going to try your tips and see the difference it makes. You should also touch on how to stay alert and comfortable during long journeys like the ones you made from Germany to Croatia.

Awesome video! I am looking forward to this serie!

Great video Misha life saving information 👍🏻

Thank you misha for your time and effort, I’m late but gonna love this series.

Good Job, Misha! Really like your videos, very informatime and always fun to watch!

Perfect Video ! Keep up the brilliant work !

Thank you so much for all the reminder! You’re so right about the shoes. I haven’t driven on a racetrack for a little more than two decades, but now that you said it, my shoes in that era weren’t made like now. The back was much lower and they were much more comfortable for my day to day driving.

Loving this Green Hell Tactics, I've a guy I've been tutoring at trackdays, albeit in Ireland, that won't listen to me at all even down to the simple stuff like hand position etc. hopefully this content will help him 🙂

I'm going to enjoy this series! Maybe include viewing techniques (you already mentionned during an AC session that you can enable 'view into corner').

Awesome video Misha! I never felt comfortable driving with my arms and legs stretch out. I fell unconfortable while normal driving, more so when driving on Nürburgring. Good point on the proper shoes and expressing the importance on braking. Speaking on that, maybe you can make a video about braking and weight shifting, plus maybe add heel-toe/rev matching with manual transmission. As always, awesome videos

Thanks Misha. I was looking forward to seeing these video series

Really enjoying the recent videos, more of this please!

Nice to see a car enthusiast (i know you are a race car driver, but) who is sensible. Keep up the good work.

Nice video misha!

One quick tip that was helpful to me when I first started my motorsporting adventure was locking the stock seatbelts and scooting the seat forward so that it would hug you tight. Especially if you're running sticky tires, you can fly out of your seat, which has happened to me. And especially when you're trying to concentrate on driving, the last distraction you would want is your body constantly moving around in your seat and you extending your left foot on the dead pedal to hold yourself in. I moved onto a bolt in Schroth 4 point as after 4 years, I got tired of constantly scooting my seat back, locking the belt moving the seat forward. We teach this seatbelt technique to many novices at the track because the chances are very high that they will have a stock car with stock belts.

Awesome video. I learned so much on how important the seating position is and the proper way to strap in.

I think this will be a great series of videos can’t wait for more great content like this 👌🏻👍🏻👏🏻

I can't wait to see more of these. great stuff. thank you

Great, great, great👌... You moved us/you to the next level of this "universe" 🙏😉. Thanx Misha 👍. And please keep on 😇.

Thank you Misha for this great explanation on that very important topic many people ignore. Спасибо! With love from Belgium.

Love the educational videos, looking forward to the next one 👌

This format is what is missing on you tube. Its simply excellent.

Really good video. It touched all the points of being in a good position to drive. Keep going!

Very good stuff Misha!

Great video, Ive always had trouble finding a proper seating position and stuff like this isn't talked about enough.

What a fantastic series!

I am very excited for the next videos of the series, this is so interesting even though I never went to any racetrack yet

Thank you for doing these very informative videos, always learning something new

Thank you! Not to toot my own horn and say I "knew" all of this, but there was one crucial part I was missing -- scooting into the seat (as you put it, "sitting in the seat rather than on top of it".) I was habitually rounding my lower back when I got in the car, creating a small triangular gap between me, the seat, and the back rest. I started from scratch and followed every tip, being sure to scoot into the seat as much as possible, and it feels excellent in comparison. Much more comfortable, supportive, and easy to operate the pedals. Before, I would get sloshed around a bit when taking corners, even with gently bolstered seats. Now, everything is tight, and comfortable! Funny how one little change can make such a huge difference.

Awesome driver seating position refresher training!! 👍🏿

Such a great 101 video - much appreciated!!!

This is possibly the most informative video I've ever watched on KZfaq. I'll be coming to hire a car for a few laps one day, it's on the bucket list 👍

Nice video Misha, can't wait to see what's next 😁 Hope i will be better driver with all your advice 😉

Great video. Thanks. Looking forward to the next video.

Thank you bro, I was literally looking for this video

Great video Misha! Went fully in-depth just as curious audience loves it, can't wait for the rest of the series!

Great video Misha

This is really good - it might not look cool but the amount of improved control is huge and means you can focus on the drive. Being tall means I'm compromised in a number of cars so your tips are a great reminder. I like the last points on closing doors before belts - for road cars mirrors and heating might also need set before settling in to seat. Finally the last segment reminded me of resetting the belts on my grandchildren's child seat in the back of my golf 😊

Great video, stoked for this series 🤜🏻🤛🏻 .. ken block that door 😂👌🏻

Tip: remove floor mats! They can get loose over time (if they aren't by default) and end up on your pedals.

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1185">19:45</a> HANS device is not allowed during tourist drives. What to do then, just take the risk? You and Robert Kubica were using the 4 point harness in the video you mentioned, but without helmets and neck support.

Great vid! I`ve a good argument for my friends tending to drive with stretched arms. "How do you lift weights in your gym? Do you stretch your arms or do it with arms bent to around 90 degrees? So why the f___ do you think you could better control and steer your wheel with unnaturally stretched arms???" And a small addition to the last paragraph. Untighten your harness BEFORE you unlock it. It`s just much more convenient. You could do it with one hand. Be safe!

I've had the chance to be completely corrected by a rally pilot. He showed and taught me correct position of legs, arms, back, chair, etc. Never ever went back to the bad driving habits i used to have. And it's some like 20 years since. Sad thing is: still many people driving while sleeping or viceversa. Golden rule: 90 degree angle of the chair and its rest. Thank you, very informative and helpful video!

Really good explanation 👌 looking for the upcoming videos 😊

Thanks Mischa! I'm going to send this video to all my friends that sit in a car _like they've been casted as an cheap substitute for an Ali G Sequel._

This is such an amazing video as I was also not very comfortable in the car! Everyone should do this!

I’m an osteopath. Nearly everyone I see has problems related to their rubbish sitting position while driving!! 🙈 not just backs- shoulder, neck the list is endless… Your advice is spot on in my professional opinion! 👍👍

Glad you did a video about that! There are sooooo many dudes who think they know what they're doing and have a horrible seatingposition!🤯

Very informative. I'll be checking up on my seating position tomorrow. I'm used to sitting relatively high.

Awesome Video! Thanks for making them. Like you said, man people make such mistakes and i m sure with this video you helped a lot of them. I would like to see a video about driving technics/dynamics such as things you can do to controll the car better in extrem situations.

Hallo Misha, very nicr vídeo and series !!

really good video!

Here is how i explain my students to setup their position : First set the seat position so that you can fully depress the clutch pedal with your heel touching the floor, good length is when your thigh touches the seat cushion but doesn’t press on it, you don’t want to get your leg tired because it goes against the pedal AND the cushion, if the thigh doesn’t touch the cushion, you’re too close. Second : set the seat height so your eyes are at the middle of the height of the windshield, often depending on the car it means your eyes will be just below or at the same height of the bottom of the rearview mirror. Third : set the seatback so that your back is just supported by the seat, the seat back should not push you forward nor serve as a hammock, basically your back should stay up on it’s own with just a little support from the seatback. Fourth : the wheel correct distance is when you can put your wrists on top of the wheel (12 o’clock) and your arms are not fully extended the elbows should be slightly bent. Wheel height is mostly for comfort and should not be in the way of seeing the dashboard or the windshield. You should be able to have your hands on the wheel at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="610">10:10</a> or <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="555">9:15</a> position without straining your shoulders. Fifth : set your mirrors SIxth : set your seatbelt height, the seatbelt should not pass on your neck nor your arm but in the middle between the neck and the top of your arm. Edit : just forgot about the headrest, it should be set so it’s not lower than the back of the head.

Great video 💯

Love this! good pointers. Being 198cm tall seating in my Focus st isnt the best. I'm wondering if i should upgrade my seat and get a steering wheel extender.

Privet, chuvak. Always a pleasure to see your face my dude!

Great Stuff!

This video needs more views! Great education!

Great video 👍🏼

Unbelievable video. Well done. A master driver.

I’m just about to put rollbar and harness in my Miata and Before this video I wasn’t sure if I had to get a hans device. Now I am! Thank you. Looking forward to meet you. I’m from canada and want to live this track experience.

underrated topic, great video!

Thanks for the great content of this video, which although it is mainly for track racing but has many little secrets for safe public driving! 💪😎🤘🔥🔥🔥

Very cool video & necessary!

Love the video! 😊😊

Great start!

Great info vídeo!!!!

Brilliant tutorial. Should be obligatory for driving schools. Our daughter did not have a clue after passing her driving test. Only after my insisting advice I learnt from my test car driving trainings she got it right. In her first ADAC young drivers training this November she was the only one in that group who knew the proper position and why. Shocking, to be honest.

I agree, braking is overlooked. At this point in my driving, the amount of input i personally am working on is driving with my toes. Featherweight inputs. Most the time you don’t need to hit the brakes hard. Setup to have comfort for those inputs is what this is about

Insane amount of knowledge in this video

Great video! Being able to have a go at the Nurburgring is one of my lifelong goals.. @<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1238">20:38</a> I hope to see you there too Misha when that happens :)

Super explained video. "just i missed " best and fastest escape from danger crashed car.

Great video. I knew most of it but great to watch

Great Vid!