In Formula 1, split-second decisions shape legacies. As a business leader and lifelong F1 enthusiast, I often find myself studying what happens off the track as closely as what happens on it. Because in both motorsport and business, one truth holds: leadership under pressure defines success.
And nowhere has that been more evident this season than in the paddock.
Ferrari’s Crisis and the Cost of Unforced Errors
Let’s start with Ferrari. Their double disqualification in China—due to floor wear violations—was a reminder that no team is immune to operational breakdown. It wasn’t a performance issue. It was a failure in precision and process.
Team Principal Fred Vasseur called for a “hard reset.” But behind that statement is a deeper challenge: how do you rebuild trust when leadership has let the system slip?
When the stakes are high, and the margins razor-thin, execution is everything. Ferrari’s next few races won’t just test their drivers—they’ll test whether their leadership can instill the focus and discipline needed to recover.
McLaren’s Rise and the Quiet Confidence of Strong Management
On the other side of the grid, McLaren is telling a very different story. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are delivering top-tier performances—but what’s equally impressive is the calm, calculated leadership behind them.
McLaren isn’t chasing headlines. They’re delivering results. That’s not just talent behind the wheel—it’s structure, clarity, and a leadership culture that builds confidence rather than chaos.
In my experience building companies and teams, I’ve learned: when leaders step back and let well-prepared people execute, excellence follows. McLaren’s pit wall seems to know that.
Red Bull’s Rotating Door: A Lesson in Instability
Then there’s Red Bull. Rumors of Liam Lawson being dropped after just two races—potentially replaced by Yuki Tsunoda—highlight a growing problem: the pressure to perform is overshadowing the importance of continuity.
Swapping out drivers mid-season might make sense on paper. But in reality, it’s often a sign that leadership is reacting, not guiding.
Instability—whether in construction, real estate, or racing—slows everyone down. High-performing teams need time to gel. Constant reshuffling erodes that foundation. Red Bull’s internal dynamics will be worth watching closely.
The Bigger Picture: F1 as a Leadership Lab
Every week, F1 puts team principals, strategists, and engineers in high-stakes situations that mirror the boardroom. Budgets are tight. Pressure is constant. Timelines are fixed. Sound familiar?
For those of us outside the sport, F1 offers more than entertainment—it’s a masterclass in how leadership, communication, and adaptability drive success.
Whether you’re building a skyscraper or a race-winning car, it comes down to the same question: Can your team trust your decision-making when it matters most?
Final Thoughts
This season, I’m not just watching lap times—I’m watching leadership. Who adapts? Who unites their team? Who falls back on systems instead of scrambling for answers?
The leaders who succeed in Formula 1 are the same types who succeed in business: clear communicators, calm under pressure, and relentless about process.
And as a fan, I’ll be watching not just the podium celebrations, but the decisions that made them possible.
Omer Barnes
Formula 1 enthusiast. Builder. Observer of excellence—on track and in business.