Fueling performance: CHRO lessons from Formula 1
From a peak-performance perspective, few environments are as demanding as Formula 1® Racing. When every millisecond counts, a cohesive team culture is crucial for success.
Culture Amp recently partnered with our client, Aston Martin Formula One®, to host an event at the Austin Grand Prix. We took senior HR leaders “under the hood” for an immersive look behind the scenes of F1 Racing’s high-performance culture.
From spending time trackside to hearing from Sophie Ackland, Aston Martin’s CHRO, we uncovered valuable lessons on how any organization can cultivate high performance.
Fast-paced and focused
In Formula 1, teamwork is everything. The support team works like a well-oiled machine; each person has a role to play, and they play it precisely. The pit crew operates seamlessly, even under extreme pressure, with each move choreographed down to the second.
“Watching the team operate with such coordination and clarity was inspiring,” said Vamsi Aavula from Hitachi Digital. “It’s a reminder that high performance isn’t just about individual skills but about everyone moving in sync toward a shared goal. Back at Hitachi, this reinforces the importance of clarity in roles and quick decision-making aligned with our core mission and values.”
“Just like in F1, every second counts in a high-performing organization, whether we’re innovating new HR technology solutions or enhancing global operations,” he added.
Attendees admired the team’s precision, with many of them blown away by the calm order of the pit, which was a sharp contrast with the intense noise and chaos of the track.
As Justin Angsuwat, our Chief People Officer, observed, “They go about things with such calmness – it’s an incredible orchestra of movement. People know what they need to do, and they know how they need to work with each other, so even though they’re under huge pressure, they do it with calm and fluidity.”
This level of shared purpose fosters agility and focus, qualities essential for any high-performing team.
Driven to succeed
Formula 1 embodies a culture of constant improvement, with every team striving for “perfect” rather than “done.” Teams analyze real-time performance data to make rapid adjustments and push the boundaries of what’s possible, race after race.
“A culture of high performance requires both the desire to win and a commitment to getting better every single day,” said Tarveen Forrester from Kickstarter. “Understanding the role you play on your team, recognizing the value your contributions bring, and connecting with a genuine commitment to do what’s best for the company are all factors that can drive a win. There’s something we can all learn from this mindset.”
The emphasis on continued improvement also impressed Mayanne Caughey from Notion: “One thing that stood out to me is the attention to detail and craftsmanship in every moment. Not just the focus of the driver, but everything from the food to the waitstaff to the mechanics. You see that it takes a team of 900 people to make one person on the field shine.”
For any organization, a commitment to continued improvement can inspire teams to challenge the status quo, making incremental gains that, over time, lead to significant performance boosts.
Trusting the data, on and off the track
Formula 1 is a data-driven sport where nothing is left to chance. Aston Martin’s team, based at Silverstone in Towcester, UK, relies on real-time analytics to adapt strategies on and off the track, recognizing the value of data in decision-making.
“One takeaway from F1 is the importance of leveraging data to drive success,” said Culture Amp’s founder, Didier Elzinga. “When decisions are supported by accurate and immediate insights, teams can move faster and make better choices. When the difference between winning and losing comes down to fractions of a second, the cultural practices that drive a 1% improvement literally make all the difference.”
In any organization, data analytics can clarify the impact of culture and performance initiatives, offering leaders a clear view of what’s working and where they can improve. High-performing teams use information and insights to learn lessons and act quickly, trusting the data rather than relying on hunches or guesswork.
When decisions are supported by accurate and immediate insights, teams can move faster and make better choices. When the difference between winning and losing comes down to fractions of a second, the cultural practices that drive a 1% improvement literally make all the difference.
— Didier ElzingaCEO of Culture AmpA razor-sharp focus on winning
The relentless pursuit of a single goal unites Formula 1 teams, creating a shared drive that cuts across every role, from engineering to sponsorship. This collective dedication ensures that each person’s work aligns with the ultimate mission of winning.
As Sydney Savion from Vanderbilt University pointed out, “Everyone has to be all in on the mission, driving high-performance culture, and in doing so, preserving a culture that cultivates belonging, self-direction, collaboration, and growth.”
Anna Binder from Asana agreed, noting, “F1’s competitive nature permeates the entire culture. From how they reward their team, to the type of talent they attract, and how the organization embodies its values in every detail, even down to the team uniforms.”
Organizations that unify their teams around a common purpose cultivate a culture where everyone is invested in the company’s success.
What it takes to finish strong
In a sport with grueling travel schedules, maintaining peak performance requires F1 teams to prioritize wellness and recovery. Aston Martin provides its team members with resources for physical and mental endurance, recognizing that sustainable performance relies on a foundation of wellbeing.
Some team members spend two-thirds of the year on the road. To perform well, they maintain a rigorous wellness schedule that includes everything from nutrition to quality rest.
Prioritizing wellness is equally valuable in business. People do their best work when they’re encouraged to put their health and wellbeing first.
After spending time with the Aston Martin team, Justin Angsuwat said, “The level of intensity to get the drivers just a few hundredths of a second faster impacts the entire organization – from the design of the car to the meals and wellness required, and being able to sustain performance over 24 races per year.”
The result: A culture of sustained, high-performance
Every person in Aston Martin’s high-performing team understands that sustained performance requires a strategic approach and careful planning. Nothing is left to chance, and no one is left wondering what’s required of them.
Whether you follow Formula 1 or not, there’s no denying that F1 teams exemplify how to drive a high-performance culture. Now it’s your turn behind the wheel. How will you apply the lessons from the track to your organization?
