F1 Racing UK

hard work keeps mercedes on top

What are the secrets to running a record-breaking Formula 1 team? Strong leadership, retaining your best people, providing a structure in which they can flourish, creating a working culture devoid of ego so people can innovate without fear of failure, building redundancy into the system so no department is unsustainably over-stretched. The list goes on. And in a world so unstable as F1, this is not easy work – and takes time. Mercedes has become the best because it leaves no stone unturned in pursuit of perfection. Yes, vast budget is crucial, but as Toto Wolff explains (p50), success is about people first and foremost – getting the most out of them, but also helping them to get the most from themselves. Happy workers are hard workers, and rewarding good workers makes them…

contributors

ANDREW BENSON When he's not helping in the BBC Radio 5 Live commentary box, Benson is getting intel from the paddock. Read his view on Merc on p32 PAT SYMONDS In Austin, Pat was on hand as F1 and the FIA unveiled their 2021 rules. This month he begins to explain how they came together, see page 24 PAUL RIPKE For the past few years Ripke has been embedded with the Mercedes team. His montage of engine HQ Brixworth is on p42 SCOTT MITCHELL Having recently left the UK for a new life in snowy Sweden, Scott continues to beat the F1 trail. His Alex Albon insight is on page 82…

f1 racing uk

Team principals Editor Ben Anderson President, Motorsport Network James Allen Drivers Group managing editor Stewart Williams Executive editor Stuart Codling Associate editor James Roberts Art editor Frank Foster Pit crew Head photographer Steven Tee Columnists Pat Symonds Mark Gallagher Nigel Roebuck Edd Straw Photo agency Motorsport Images Director, global client success Sunita Davies Production controller Ben Webster Advertising UK sales manager Ben Fullick Subscriptions Digital marketing manager Kaye Benfield…

parade

Kneeling at the altar of the title winner There is a strange quirk about Formula 1. All season the teams are paranoid about keeping their cars secret and ensuring photographers don’t capture revealing spy shots. Then the moment the chequered flag falls on the final race of the season, the car suddenly becomes redundant. Right at the end of qualifying in Abu Dhabi, I spotted Lewis Hamilton move to the front of his car while both Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen were being interviewed for television. It was a poignant moment, since it would be the last time Hamilton would ever qualify this car. It will be soon replaced by next year’s challenger. Where Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi When 6.06pm, Saturday 30 November 2019 Details Canon EOS-1DX MkII, 560mm lens, 1/320th @ F5.6 The sun sets on another…

insider

LEWIS REVEALS THE SECRETS OF HIS CRAFT 01 Fresh from clinching his sixth championship, Lewis Hamilton visited the Gran Turismo World Finals in Monaco, where he offered online racers some fascinating insight into the small details integral to his continued success in Formula 1. F1 Racing’s sister title Motorsport.com was there to hear what he had to say. PRE-RACE RITUAL “What I do now is different to what I did when I first looked at F1 and when I was karting. It’s been a learning process. I do stretching, and stretching is so important, particularly as you get older. Also, keeping your heart rate low with some breathing, I don’t do breathing exercises, but I focus on my breathing, making sure I’m centred. “I always ensure I’ve studied the lap and the settings I’ve…

f1 digest

18.11.19 F1 considers rule change to promote spectacle during Safety Car restarts 20.11.19 Mercedes clears Esteban Ocon to drive for Renault in post-season test 21.11.19 FIA to introduce extra fuel-flow sensors for 2020 season 21.11.19 Zandvort circuit reveals its final banked corner will be twice as steep as Indianapolis 27.11.19 Honda commits to F1 until at least the end of 2021 29.11.19 Ferrari evaluates splitwastegate configuration in Abu Dhabi practice 29.11.19 Haas trials new simulator at Dallara factory with Pietro Fittipaldi 30.11.19 Engine manufacturers confirm development freeze for some elements from 2021 PICTURES: SAM BAGNALL; ZAK MAUGER; MARK SUTTON…