From the Track to the Boardroom: Leadership and Teamwork Lessons from the Formula 1 Exhibition

The Formula 1 Exhibition at the London ExCeL Docklands isn’t just a treat for racing fans—it’s also a brilliant showcase of teamwork and leadership in action. As I wandered through the 6 halls of interactive displays and behind-the-scenes stories, I found myself thinking how clearly high performing teams and effective leadership were showcased.

Leadership on the Pit Wall

Every Formula 1 race is a crash course in leadership under pressure (sometimes literally). Drivers, Team Principals, Engineers, and Strategists have to make split-second decisions with often incomplete information, knowing the stakes are sky-high. One wrong call could cost a win or even risk the safety of the driver.

It struck me how much this mirrors leadership in business. It’s not just about having the technical know-how; it’s about clear communication, trusting your team, and staying calm when the unexpected happens. When things do go wrong—and they will—you’ve got to learn, adapt, and come back stronger. Formula 1 teams are masters at this. They debrief after every race, pouring over what worked and what didn’t, always looking for ways to improve.

‖ Great leadership isn’t just about knowing what to do; it’s about keeping your team motivated and focused, even when the pressure’s on.

The Role of Teamwork

One of the things that really stood out at the Exhibition was just how many people it takes to make a Formula 1 car fast (really fast!). One of the videos with Bernie Collins, F1 Strategist at McLaren, estimated 500! Every nut, bolt, and aerodynamic tweak is the result of hours of effort by hundreds of specialists in their field. And then there’s the pit stop team—a group of people so in sync that they can change four tyres in just over two seconds. It’s honestly mind-blowing.

But here’s the thing: that level of coordination doesn’t just happen. It’s built through trust, shared goals, and relentless practice. In business, it’s the same. High-performing teams know their roles inside out and trust each other to deliver.

‖ A winning team culture comes from making sure everyone knows their role and has confidence in the rest of the team to nail theirs.

Bouncing Back from the Tough Stuff

I didn’t expect to get emotional at an F1 exhibition, but here we are. One of the most powerful parts of the experience for me was seeing how teams and drivers bounce back from the worst possible situations. Crashes are an inevitable part of the sport, but seeing how teams rally to rebuild—whether it’s a car or a driver’s confidence—is truly inspiring.

And it’s not just about the mechanical failures. The exhibition doesn’t shy away from the darkest moments in the sport’s history, including drivers losing their lives. There is a video with drivers speaking about driving through the fires created by other drivers crashing, knowing that it is one of their friends in the middle of that and still keeping their foot firmly down on the pedal. In the days well before mobile phones, social media and live television coverage, driving the remains of a car back to a family's home, with the wife waving from the balcony and being unsure whether she already knows her husband has died, or whether she thinks it's him arriving home safely.

The resilience to keep going, to honour those who’ve been lost by striving to be better and safer, hit me hard. It’s a reminder that leadership isn’t just about success; it’s about how you handle failure, tragedy, and the need to start again.

‖ True leadership shines in how you and your team bounce back from the hard times. It’s about resilience, reflection, and moving forward with purpose.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

Formula 1 is all about pushing boundaries. Teams are constantly tweaking, testing, and innovating, whether it’s a new wing design, 'stretching' the rules, or an entirely different race strategy. The Exhibition really brought home how much effort goes into finding even the smallest edge over the competition.

It’s a lesson for leaders everywhere: if you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind. Innovation doesn’t just happen—it takes courage, creativity, and a willingness to fail and try again. It takes true psychological safety within teams.

‖ Great leaders encourage their teams to experiment, learn from mistakes, and keep pushing for better.

Lessons for Leaders

Walking out of the Formula 1 Exhibition, I wasn’t just buzzing with the thrill of speed and tech. I was genuinely inspired by the teamwork, resilience, and leadership on display. Here are three lessons that stuck with me:

1. Empower Your Team: Just like a driver relies on their crew, leaders need to trust and empower their people to deliver.
2. Bounce Back: Whether it’s a crash or a tough quarter, resilience and reflection are what get you back on track.
3. Debrief and Improve: Success or failure, there’s always something to learn. Take the time to reflect and grow.

The world of Formula 1 isn’t just about speed; it’s about people. And that’s something any leader can take to heart. Whether you’re steering a team or tackling a tricky project, there’s so much inspiration to be found in the way F1 teams operate. If you get the chance to visit, I can’t recommend it enough.

Investing in leadership development (and, as a fantastic bonus, building higher-performing teams!) is all about creating a future where managers—and the teams they lead—not only survive but thrive. Companies that prioritise leadership development end up with resilient, adaptable leaders who can navigate challenges, inspire their people, and drive long-term success.

So, here’s the big question: Are you and your business giving your managers the tools they need for future success? If not, it’s time to get started. After all, strong leaders don’t just appear out of nowhere—they’re built through thoughtful investment, tailored training, and a commitment to their growth.

If you'd like to find out more about what I do and how I support Leaders in people-focussed and results-driven environments to build high performing teams, connect with me on https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/briony-platt-lean-into-learning/ and either drop me a DM or book some time into my diary for a conversation here: Book time with Briony Platt: Virtual coffee