Richard Sherman seems to be taking his mentorship role very seriously, but that doesn't mean he's going to take it easy on his new teammates.

Sherman and a group of the San Francisco 49ers defensive backs including Ahkello Witherspoon, Tyvis Powell, Chanceller James and Greg Mabin took the speed off the field and to the track at K1 Speed Indoor Kart Racing on Thursday.

Down the final stretch, Sherman passed Witherspoon during the 16-lap race with a team-best, 25.211 to take home first place.

Defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley noted the veteran's leadership on the 49ers Studios Podcast, explaining that these one-off team building gatherings are huge for morale.

"It's real. There's nothing pretend," Hafley said. "He wants to bring this group together because he knows that's the only way we'll come together and play to the best of our ability – get to know one another. And that to me is what a true leader does and that's what he is. It's who he is. And the coolest thing is that it's real."

This isn't the first such event. Sherman brought a chef to the team hotel last month and invited all of his fellow defensive backs to dinner.