Through my research, I've found that race car drivers typically wear soft-soled shoes. The main reason behind this is to enhance their feel of the pedals, allowing them to react quickly and accurately. A softer sole provides better feedback, which is essential during high-speed racing. Hard-soled shoes, on the other hand, can diminish this sensitivity, proving less effective in such circumstances. It's all about combining safety, comfort, and functionality to achieve the best performance on the track.