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& STRATEGY
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FORMULA 1
WHAT THE RACE TRACK TAUGHT ME ABOUT STRATEGY
DANIELLE VAN DER LEE
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FORMULA 1
In addition to my work as a trainer for wedding planners, coach, and speaker, I am a huge Formula 1 fan — and not just a little bit. I have been following the sport for 11 years now, with Max Verstappen as my absolute favorite. Last May, I even got to accompany Red Bull Racing to a fully catered Grand Prix in Miami — an experience that has only reinforced my perspective on elite sport, pressure, and precision. And the longer I follow this, the more I see that the sport and entrepreneurship are closer together than you might think.
In Formula 1, the fastest car doesn't always win — often, the team with the sharpest strategy wins. When do you make a pit stop? When do you take a risk, and when do you play it safe? The same applies to entrepreneurship: success rarely lies in working harder alone, but in making the right choices at the right time.
A pit stop costs time, but without a pit stop, you lose the race. Entrepreneurs often forget this: driving on worn tires feels faster, but it isn't. Pausing for a moment—reflecting, adjusting course, bringing in a coach—is not a delay; it is part of the strategy.
Crashing is part of it
Every driver crashes sometimes. The difference between a good and an exceptional driver lies not in avoiding every mistake, but in how quickly you get back on the track. That principle—falling and getting back up—is exactly what I write about in my coaching and my book.
Teamwork behind the scenes
A racing driver never wins alone. Behind every victory is a team of strategists, mechanics, and engineers. As an entrepreneur, too, you are not alone: having the right people around you—a coach, an expert, a sounding board—often makes the difference between getting stuck and breaking through.
MIAMI, MEI 2026
Last May, I had the opportunity to accompany Red Bull Racing to a fully catered Grand Prix in Miami. Seeing up close how a top team manages to utilize every second under immense pressure was a lesson in itself — and exactly the kind of precision and focus that I try to impart to my coachees and audience.
Curious how these F1 lessons translate to your company or into a lecture on strategy and resilience? Get in touch.
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