Why culture beats strategy in F1
Having the right people managing a Formula 1 team can make a crucial difference to success or failure - even if they aren't hands-on at every stage, says EDD STRAW
Formula 1 team bosses are a heterogeneous bunch. The nature, style and impact of the role varies between outfits depending on the skillset of the individual holding the position and those around them. As a group, they are second only to the drivers in terms of public profile and although there have been cases where their visibility outstrips their effectiveness, they can have a profound impact - for better or worse - on the teams they lead.
To draw a footballing analogy, they are the managers: high-profile, conspicuous mouthpieces who can, rightly or wrongly, be blamed for all the goods and ills of their teams. Succeed and you are lauded, fail and there are calls for your head. Both are unrealistic extremes but, like the best football managers, the most effective team bosses can imbue their outfits with a culture, strategy and way of working that delivers success while simultaneously creating an environment that allows the excellence of the staff to shine through. But it can be difficult to distinguish cause and effect.
Share Or Save This Story
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.