"You have to find your thermal of success": Inside Jan Lammers’ unique philosophy on racing and life.

Jan Lammers preparing to drive a 1971 Porsche 911T 2.7l at Speed Classic Cape Town.
PHOTO CREDIT: Speed Classic Cape Town.

Life is about chances. What you do with them either aids or hampers your growth, meaning that success comes from action. Jan Lammers is one such individual whose career is shaped by perseverance.

To a degree, Lammers will be remembered as the talented Dutchman whose Formula 1 career never quite blossomed. To others, he is the man who conquered the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Jaguar, a victory that truly secured his place among the endurance racing elite. 

The younger generation will know him as the sporting director who helped lead the return of Formula 1 to the Netherlands after a 36-year absence, playing a pivotal role in restoring the Dutch Grand Prix to the calendar at a time when the country's passion for the sport had reached unprecedented heights through Max Verstappen's success.

If you asked the 70-year-old Dutchman to reflect on a career spanning more than five decades. He doesn’t dwell on the statistics, missed opportunities, or even his greatest victories. Instead, he talks about people, mindset, and the lessons learned. For a driver who experienced the highest highs and lowest lows motorsport could throw at you, success was never measured solely by trophies, but by a career rooted in humble beginnings.

"Well, no racing family at all, you know, just a working-class family. I was the youngest of seven kids. I have five brothers and one sister. Money, I always say we were a very wealthy family without money, so all the important things were right, brought up here along the coastline, next to the racetrack, the dunes and everything, so actually everything a young boy or girl can wish for," he said. 

Growing up in Zandvoort, the circuit that would eventually become synonymous with both his own career and Dutch motorsport, Lammers' introduction to racing bears little resemblance to the routes available to aspiring Formula 1 drivers today. At the time, no karting academies, junior programmes, or simulator sessions waited for him. Instead, opportunities came through hard work and the belief of a man who saw something special in the Dutchman.

Rob Slotemaker was already a household name in the Netherlands. A renowned driving instructor whose car-control demonstrations even appeared in Steve McQueen's iconic film Le Mans, Slotemaker took Lammers under his wing long before he ever climbed into a racing car.

"I ended up being a handyman or whatever at a skid control school we had in those days, and it was owned by Rob Slotemaker. He was quite a skid control, car control expert. I wouldn't say, like Ken Block of those days, but something similar. He did all the skidding demos in the movie of Steve McQueen about the 24 Hours of Le Mans, so in doing so, he took me to Le Mans when I was 14. He was quite a celebrity in Holland, and really helped to teach me everything I know. He bought my first racing car. He also took a mortgage on his house to pay for my first deposit, the first payment on my Formula 1 year in 1979, but basically, I just went through the grounds at the skid school, you know, just dampening the skid pan and washing the cars, cleaning the toilets, making the coffee, frying the eggs, you name it," he said.

It’s quite an extraordinary story of belief and sacrifice, in which Slotemaker literally mortgaged his own home to help launch Lammers' career, who he believed could reach the very top echelons of motorsport.

Whilst working as an instructor at the skid school, the Dutchman began racing at 16, steadily progressing through Dutch touring cars before moving into Formula Ford and Formula 3. His breakthrough came in 1978 when he won the European Formula 3 Championship, defeating a field packed with future Grand Prix talent. More than four decades later, he remains the only Dutch driver to have won the championship.

"Still, I'm the only one who’s ever won the European Formula 3 Championship. From there, I went into Formula 1, and yeah, that was with ups and downs, you know, never really did anything meaningful. So, I think I had probably 98% or 97% of what it takes to be a world champion, but anyway, I got close enough to enjoy it," he says.

Like many young drivers, Lammers’ ambitions evolved naturally as each milestone was achieved, because Formula 1 itself was never truly a goal.

"Well, I didn't have that pretense to begin with, because, you know, you start with a little touring car. And so, then in those days, it's all about the next corner, the next lap, the race and the championship,” he explained. “So, you know, you start off with realistic goals. But then after those goals were achieved, after the short-term goals, you know, it's like stepping on stairs; you do one step at a time. But after about, yeah, I did the Dutch championship. I started in Formula 4 and Formula 3, particularly after winning the European Formula 3 title. I really thought, like, well, you know, why not? So, I felt that I was as good, or as bad as, the people around me. So, I thought it was a fair, yeah, realistic goal to make it to Formula 1. But then you had to be with the right team. The difference in equipment in those days was probably bigger than the difference in drivers."

Making his Formula 1 debut in 1979 with Shadow Racing Cars, Lammers entered the championship during one of its most fiercely competitive eras. But rather than joining an established front-running team, he spent much of his Grand Prix career driving for teams fighting simply to qualify. 

Shadow, ATS, Ensign and Theodore rarely had the resources to compete against the dominant manufacturers of the day, leaving promising drivers with little chance to demonstrate their full potential. Lammers, though, achieved his best Formula 1 race result in his debut season with Shadow, a ninth-place finish at the 1979 Canadian Grand Prix.

Jan Lammers on track at Circuit de Monaco in the ATS.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jan Lammers.

However, looking back, he believes the quality of machinery often outweighed the quality of the driver.

"It's like going to the bad school, and people tell you all the wrong things. Whereas as a student, you don't know what is wrong or right. You only find out later how limited you are compared to the competition around you," he explained.

Since then, Formula 1 has evolved dramatically with modern-day simulators, data analysis, and driver academies, which have narrowed the gap between competitors, making outright speed less of a differentiator than it once was.

"These days, the difference between drivers, I mean, there is, in my opinion, Max Verstappen and the rest of the world. But everything underneath, there is so little difference. I mean, the difference now between the drivers is minimal these days; it's all about the third digit behind the comma. So, I think it's the attitude and the character that will make the difference," the 70-year-old said.

Regardless of all the advancements in technology, one challenge remains stubbornly unchanged, and that is finances; the money element, if you will. He believes that financial backing still influences careers at every level of motorsport today, often proving decisive when talent alone cannot separate two equally capable drivers.

"One of the boxes is also like financial stability. And, if there is a big question mark and you are as good as the next guy, but he does have financial stability, they still tend to go for that person," he said.

However, for the Dutchman, dwelling on these circumstances is beyond your control and serves little purpose. Having experienced the realities of chasing sponsorship himself, Lammers argues that determination and creativity remain the most valuable currencies a young driver can possess.

"If you have the funds at hand to really make use of the opportunity you have now, then it's a little bit easier. But on the other hand, if you don't, there's no point in whinging about it. Just get up, get going and just pick up the thing that cannot be done and do it," he said.

The Dutchman has often been asked whether he looks back on Formula 1 wondering what might have been. After all, few drivers arrive in the championship as reigning European Formula 3 champion only to spend the majority of their careers in machinery incapable of challenging the sport's established front-runners.

"Well, no, nothing, nothing really. Because, you know, I couldn't; it's impossible to be 16 and know what I know now. You know, I wasn't any wiser. I made a lot of decisions that, when I look back at them, and yeah, it's almost like a puzzle, like, you know, what could I have done better? Then that's basically a printout of like what knowledge you lacked at that moment," he explained. 

Rather than viewing his career through the lens of missed opportunities, he prefers to see it as a learning process. Every wrong turn, every disappointing result and every difficult decision simply reflected the experience he was yet to build.

To explain his perspective, the 70-year-old Dutchman provided an interesting analogy that has little to do with motorsport itself.

"I really feel it's like hang gliding, you know, you have to find the right thermal. And then you do the same thing. The only thing is that the hot air just lifts you up. So, there's nothing you do differently; only if you don't find that thermal of success, then, you know, you can do what you want, but eventually you'll be on the ground," he explains.

Perhaps it’s one of the most informative insights into how Lammers interprets not only his own career but success in general. Talent matters, but so does the environment around you. So, surround yourself with the right people, in the right place, at the right time, and opportunities will begin to appear that simply don't exist elsewhere.

"That is the same thing in life. You have to find that thermal of success, which is the people, the facilities, you know, it could be where you live, where you move to, but it's up to you to find that thermal. And, once you hit that, it feels so easy, because everything around you, you see support and cooperation, and you name it. And, you have people around you that have all the answers to the questions you have. And if you put yourself in the wrong environment, you're at a standstill," he said.

That way of thinking also explains why he is reluctant to attribute a driver's success purely to influential management or fortunate circumstances. 

Sir Lewis Hamilton's rise through McLaren's junior programme is often cited as an example of being spotted by the right people at the right time. Still, the Dutchman believes that overlooks the years of dedication and hard work that came beforehand.

"They had to get to that level, because Lewis Hamilton's father and Lewis himself, they worked very hard, and meticulously to get where they are. And it's a cliché that Lewis' father had two jobs, and yeah, a trailer behind his car to go from kart track to kart track. So, they worked very, very hard," he said.

For the former F1 driver, life mirrors a qualifying lap. Drivers cannot spend an entire lap worrying about the finish line. Instead, they must focus on the corner directly in front of them, trusting that enough good decisions will eventually produce the desired result.

"Life there is just like a qualifying lap. You know, you can't focus on the lap… You have to figure out what is the next right thing to do. And you have to focus on the next corner, you know, or actually the very corner that you are in. That's where you have to focus," he explains.

Ironically, only after the Formula 1 opportunity had passed did he begin developing the mindset that would define the second half of his career. However, he admits that he was still thinking about Formula 1.

"Formula 1 was almost like, whatever, you know, something irresistible in your head... So, for a time, you are not at your best, even in the sports cars, because you are in the sports car where your mind is frustrated, because you want to be in Formula 1. And it's tough to let go of your ambitions," he says.

Even as he established himself within endurance racing, the dream of returning to Formula 1 never quite vanished. That persistence eventually resulted in one of the longest gaps between Grand Prix appearances in history, when Lammers returned to race with March in 1992, for two Grand Prix.

During a stint racing in the United States of America, Lammers confronted an uncomfortable truth whilst racing for Dan Gurney’s team. If the same frustrations followed him from one team to another, perhaps the common denominator was himself.

"If you end up in the same situation time and time again, there must be something that I am doing wrong myself. And, if it wasn't the driving skills, then I have to smarten up a bit," he said.

Long before sports psychology became a common place in motorsport, the Dutchman immersed himself in books on mind control methods. He began treating preparation with the same seriousness as driving itself, determined to understand not just how to drive faster, but how to think better.

“I started reading some books about mind control methods from [Jose] Silva. It's a fantastic book. After that, yeah, Three Magic Words was also a fantastic book that I read. It really helped me. I got a little bit into meditation, which is really nothing more, nothing less than taking the time to really leave the world around you for what it is. And just focus on who you really are and what you really want. And how do you think you can achieve it? What to focus on doing and not doing, you know, so really, it's like programming the chip before the task, like, okay, what do I need to concentrate on, etc. So, I became a little bit more mentally methodical about my whole approach to racing,” he says. 

Joining Jaguar's factory sports car programme, Lammers found himself sharing machinery with some of the finest drivers of the era, including Martin Brundle, Derek Warwick, Eddie Cheever, Danny Sullivan, and later, Eddie Irvine and a young Jacques Villeneuve.

Realizing that he was on par with those drivers really helped him mentally.

Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries and Andy Wallace pictured above on the 1988 LeMans podium.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jan Lammers.

That evolution ultimately culminated in 1988, when Lammers, Johnny Dumfries and Andy Wallace guided Jaguar to a famous victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, ending Porsche's dominance and delivering one of the marque's greatest triumphs. 

Reflecting on that race, the Dutchman explained that they knew the gearbox would be the weak link. But rather than convincing himself everything would be fine, he deliberately approached the race assuming something would go wrong.

“You can say, like, everything will be fine. And we're going to win this race. Yeah, but, you know, special achievements you don't meet by coincidence. You have to really make a proper plan," he said.

Assuming the gearbox would eventually fail, every decision they made throughout the race became focused on protecting it.

“When you start the race [with the mindset], that everything will be fine. That's wishful thinking; that's being naive. You know, but if you start the race knowing, like, okay, this gearbox is going to break. From the moment we get the green flag to start the race, we have to really, really run this race in a reverse attitude. Like, we have to start off, you know, very, very careful with the [gear]box, as if it's already broken. And it still did break, and we were very lucky to bring it home. But yeah, sometimes you can start something, and you can be on pole position. And you can tell yourself, like, okay, I am going to lose this race. People can call you a negative thinker then. But if you say I am going to lose this race unless I do this, this, this, and that; I pay attention to X, Y, and Z. Unless I am very alert to the advice of my engineer, very alert to the weather. And if you start like that, that is a very positive mindset, because that puts you on maximum alert. And the guy that just gets in there and says, I'm on a pole, I'm going to beat all these guys, no problem, he might overlook some details,” Lammers explains.

That approach perfectly encapsulates Lammers' outlook on motorsport and life. Optimism, in his view, should never come at the expense of preparation.

Reflecting on a career that took him from Formula 1 to Le Mans, from American open-wheel racing to helping restore the Dutch Grand Prix, it is evident that Jan Lammers' legacy extends far beyond the statistics sheets.

He may never have become a Formula 1 World Champion or race winner, but very few drivers have extracted so much wisdom from the journey they have traveled.

For the Dutchman, success was never about reaching the finish line first every time. It was about continuing to learn, surrounding yourself with the right people, embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth and, above all else, focusing on what he calls "the next right thing."

A special thank you to Daniel Roodt, aka Daniel-san, for the interview.

"South Africa lived up to the hype": Alexander Albon reflects on a memorable visit.

Alexander Albon on stage at the Betway and Atlassian Williams F1 team VIP experience.
PHOTO CREDIT: Betway and Jackpot City

A few hours were all it took for Alexander Albon to leave a lasting impression on South African Formula 1 fans. His visit to the country was more than just a promotional appearance – it offered thousands a rare chance to meet one of the sport's current drivers, strengthening the growing sense that Formula 1's connection with Africa may be gathering real momentum.

The Atlassian Williams Racing driver arrived in Johannesburg fresh from the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking the culmination of a month-long roadshow that saw a Williams FW48-liveried show car tour shopping centres in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. The nationwide display attracted thousands of curious onlookers and passionate fans, giving them a rare opportunity to experience a piece of Formula 1 up close and personal.

Beyond its fan engagement, the event also marked a significant moment in Williams F1 history. More than three decades ago, the team celebrated victory in the final South African Grand Prix at Kyalami with Alain Prost, before returning regularly to the circuit for testing until 2001. Since then, Williams had not made another official appearance in South Africa, making Albon's visit a notable milestone in the team's long history with the country.

For Albon, however, the defining memory of the trip was not the packed schedule or commitments. It was the reception he received from South African fans.

"South Africa lived up to the hype – the fans here are as passionate as it gets. Meeting everyone who followed the FW48 roadshow, chatting with local creators, and sitting down with Neal made this a brilliant trip. Thank you to Super Group, Betway and Jackpot City for making it happen!" he said.

Although Formula 1's popularity has surged in recent years due to the Drive to Survive series and the F1 Movie, Albon had not anticipated the level of excitement surrounding the team's arrival in South Africa.

"It's really eye-opening, to be honest with you," he said. "For the most part, we are kind of in our own circus. We go from race to race, we go to the same countries, the same racetracks, year to year, so we know the tracks, we know the fans, we know which tracks have more fans, less fans. But just the announcement and the noise that we were getting through our social media on coming to South Africa, it was like nothing we've ever seen before, and it was really amazing to see the reception that Formula One was getting. Even on the flight here, the team was feeding me all this information, and I didn't appreciate just what connection Williams had to South Africa."

The trip also uncovered an unexpected personal connection that even the Williams driver did not know. Whilst discussing his arrival in South Africa with his parents, Albon learnt that he had actually spent part of his childhood living in Hyde Park, Johannesburg while his father was conducting business.

"It's a really weird story," Albon said. "So, when I was six months old, my family moved to Johannesburg, and obviously, I came with them. We lived here for a year and a half."

The story became even more remarkable when his mother reminded him that their family had lived next door to the current South African President Cyril Ramaphosa – someone whom Albon met during his visit.

Beyond giving fans a rare opportunity to connect with the team, the visit also offered a chance to pull back the curtain on life inside Formula 1, challenging many assumptions that people may have about the sport's drivers. For millions watching around the world, Formula 1 often appears to be a life of glamour, luxury and constant excitement. Albon was quick to dispel that perception.

"Oh, I would say that we're the opposite of that. We're pretty boring people for the most part," he admitted. "I grew up on a farm. My hobbies are pretty much staying at home, sitting on a sofa, watching Netflix. If you catch me, a normal Monday for me looks like nothing. Just walking around the city and going for a coffee."

The high intensity of a race weekend often creates a desire for simplicity once drivers step away from the circuit. What many fans never see is the amount of preparation required before a single lap is completed.

Kriya Gangiah hosting Alex Albon for a brief Q&A. 
PHOTO CREDIT: Betway and Jackpot City.

A modern Formula 1 weekend extends far beyond just driving, since hours are spent in engineering briefings, simulator sessions, strategy discussions and technical meetings, with drivers playing a central role in many aspects of performance.

"We have engineering meetings, we have strategy meetings, we have meetings with aerodynamicists, we talk about winds, weather, what tyres we want to be on, what driving style we want to do, how to manage the brakes, the engine, the oil," Albon explained. "So, there's a lot of these kinds of things."

Even the seemingly routine radio messages heard during races often carry far more meaning than fans realize. When asked about Formula 1's famous "box, box" pit call, Albon smiled: "Yeah, actually we rarely say, box, box." 

Though some teams do, while others often rely on coded messages, hidden confirmations, and carefully planned misdirection to prevent rival teams from gaining valuable strategic information. 

In the modern era of Formula 1, information can often be just as valuable as outright speed. Yet perhaps the most fascinating insight Albon offered was not about strategy or engineering, but about the journey required simply to reach Formula 1.

While fans naturally focus on the 22 drivers on the grid, earning one of those seats remains among the most difficult achievements in sport. The financial demands are enormous, opportunities are scarce, and success throughout junior categories provides no guarantee of reaching Formula 1.

"There are 22 seats in Formula One. The competition to get into Formula One is extremely difficult," Albon said.

For many aspiring drivers, the challenge begins years before Formula 3 or Formula 2. Careers often depend as much on securing sponsorship and finding opportunities as they do on outright talent.

Albon understands that reality better than most. Unlike several of his colleagues, reaching Formula 1 was never straightforward. There were moments when it appeared his opportunity had disappeared altogether. Then, unexpectedly, everything changed.

That opportunity arose when Albon was preparing for what he believed would be the next chapter of his career outside Formula 1. Rather than waiting for an F1 seat, he had already begun planning for a future in Formula E. Then, late in the year, his phone rang while he was browsing inside a Nike store. It was a call that changed his career forever.

"I got a phone call from, at the time, it was the boss of Red Bull, and I thought, oh, I should answer this. It was basically, we are looking for a driver for Formula One," Albon recalled.

The timing could hardly have been more unexpected. By then, he had already accepted that his future lay elsewhere. "I already thought I was going to do something else. I already had planned a different series,” he said.

Then came the question every young racing driver dreams of hearing. "By the way, do you want to be in Formula One?" For Albon, there was only one answer: yes.

The opportunity came so late that he entered Formula 1 with far less preparation than many of his rivals. That lack of experience became apparent during his very first Formula 1 test, just weeks before making his Grand Prix debut, when he spun into the gravel on his opening lap. It was a humbling introduction to the sport, because, as he climbed out of the medical car, dozens of photographers were already waiting to capture the moment.

"I thought to myself, oh my god, you know, this is what Formula One is," he said.

Ironically, adapting to the car itself proved easier than adapting to everything that surrounded it. Having raced since childhood, driving at the limit felt natural.

"It's funny because we're so conditioned to racing that, as I said, I started when I was eight years old, and it's all I ever knew. So, driving the F1 car for me was the easiest thing to transition into," Albon explained.

The bigger challenges, however, came from outside the cockpit, where he suddenly found himself under constant media scrutiny while representing one of F1’s biggest sporting teams. 

"I went from a team that had maybe 15 people inside it in Formula 2, to 1,100 people," he said.

Today, that responsibility has grown even further, as Atlassian Williams F1 Team continues its long-term rebuilding project under the leadership of James Vowles. With his knowledge and feedback at the wheel, Alex Albon has become a key figure in helping guide the team back towards competitiveness and, ultimately, victories.

That broader rebuilding effort extends well beyond the race track. The Betway and Atlassian Williams F1 roadshow reflected Williams' commitment to reconnecting with fans by taking Formula 1 directly to them through city activations around the world, rather than limiting engagement to race weekends. In doing so, the team has recognized that some of the championship's fastest-growing audiences exist far beyond the traditional European calendar.

Neil Menashe speaking with Alex Albon on stage. 
PHOTO CREDIT: Betway and Jackpot City

South Africa was no exception. The month-long campaign concluded with Albon appearing alongside Super Group CEO Neal Menashe, who believes the partnership between Williams, Betway and Jackpot City represents more than conventional sponsorship.

"Bringing Alex Albon and the Atlassian Williams F1 Team to South Africa has been a fantastic opportunity to connect one of the world's most iconic sports with the passion of South African fans," Menashe said. "Through Betway and Jackpot City, we are proud to create experiences that bring people closer to the action, and to help bring the excitement of Formula 1 beyond the racetrack and into local communities."

Menashe explained that Williams' relentless pursuit of marginal gains, technological innovation and operational excellence closely mirrors the environment in which Super Group operates. 

For decades, South Africa has awaited Formula 1's return, with the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit at the centre of hopes to welcome the championship back to African soil. Ongoing FIA Grade 1 circuit upgrades, coupled with growing political support and increasing commercial backing, have kept those ambitions alive, ensuring the country remains firmly in discussions surrounding a future Grand Prix.

The 30-year-old admitted he was surprised to learn just how few Formula 1 fans ever experience a Grand Prix in person.

"There was a statistic that blew me away, that it was something like 1% of fans have access to actually watching a Formula 1 race in real life," he said. "It's such a minority that actually experience what at least I see in the grandstands every weekend. It does seem like there is... it feels almost inevitable. It feels like there is a buzz going on that it's going to happen soon."

Among the guests at the VIP experience was Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, who has emerged as one of the leading political voices behind efforts to bring Formula 1 back to South Africa.

McKenzie openly stated on X that his tenure would be a failure if he did not succeed in bringing one of the world's biggest sporting events back to the country. He has also publicly announced Betway, SuperSport/Canal+, Discovery and MTN as key private-sector partners supporting the initiative.

The Minister also revealed that seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton is expected to visit South Africa in the near future, but stopped short of disclosing the purpose of the visit or offering any further details.

Alexander Albon on route to the stage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Betway and Jackpot City

Before departing, Albon offered one final message to the fans who had welcomed him so warmly.

"You have seen a taster of what we do. I think there is still a lot of work to be done; of course, there is a lot of work being done to make a Grand Prix happen here,” he said. "It's an amazing sport. It's a sport I have been part of for a long time, and I hope you guys can experience more of it. Hopefully, this race does come to your home country. And hopefully, we can put on a good show for you guys once it does happen."

Whether that moment arrives remains to be seen. But if Alex Albon's visit proved anything, it’s that South Africans from all walks of life are ready to welcome Formula 1 back with open arms.

"It will always be about curiosity" – How ScarbsTech became one of Formula 1's leading technical analysts.

Image Supplied: Craig Scarborough

In a sport where engineering design is closely guarded by teams. Only a few individuals have done more to pull back the curtain on Formula 1's technical intricacies than Craig Scarborough.

Better known to motorsport fans as ScarbsTech, Scarborough has spent more than two decades analyzing, illustrating, and explaining the innovations that shape modern Grand Prix racing. His detailed technical drawings and accessible explanations have helped countless fans understand the true wonder that is engineering in F1. 

Craig Scarborough’s route into becoming one of the paddock's most respected technical voices was anything but straightforward. Growing up in Britain during the 1970s, he's fascination with engineering developed long before Formula 1 became his primary focus. 

Influenced by the era's fascination with technology, he found himself captivated by aviation, space exploration, and how things worked.

"My father grew up in London during WW2 and had a fascination with aircraft," Scarborough recalled. "He taught me how to draw planes and make plastic model kits."

Those early interests eventually led him towards motorsport.

"It was probably modelling that hooked me on the technical side”, he says. “As I soon grew bored of aircraft models, I moved on to Tamiya F1 kits, which were far more complex and the engineering of cars was new to me."

While Technical Analysis would ultimately become his career, it was not his original destination. Scarborough initially hoped to become a pilot, directing his education towards science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects before poor eyesight forced a rethink.

"I wanted to be a pilot!” he said. “So, I directed my education in that direction, with STEM subjects. But my poor eyesight precluded me from that career. Engineering was my alternative, and I tried for a job with F1 teams in the mid-eighties, but I had no experience, so I took up a more conventional career.”

He had attempted to secure a role within Formula 1 during the 1980s, but that proved difficult because industry contacts and opportunities were few and far between in an era before the internet connected aspiring engineers and journalists directly to the sport.

"You have to remember this was pre-internet," Scarborough explained. "You couldn't just go and research and find this stuff. You had to find names, addresses and write letters."

Instead, he immersed himself in books and specialist magazines, developing an understanding of race car design whilst building a career in Information Technology [IT]. 

An unexpected opportunity arose when an employer secured contracts with Formula 1 teams, giving him access to a factory tour and test sessions.

"I managed to get a factory tour of the Jordan F1 Team, and attend some F1 tests at Silverstone," he said. "It was then that I realized I knew more about the tech stuff than some of the people guiding us around."

As Formula 1 communities began establishing themselves on the internet in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Scarborough spotted a niche.

"My first work was on tiny websites. I did it because no one else was doing it," he said.

The timing could not have been any more perfect. Meanwhile, established technical illustrator and analyst Giorgio Piola remained largely focused on magazines and books. Digital platforms offered a new avenue for technical coverage. 

Scarborough's ability to combine technical knowledge, illustration and communication helped him build an audience. "I've always tried to report the facts and get some form of cross-check or evidence for anything I'm doing. It's never been about getting clicks,” he said.

That approach gradually earned the trust of engineers throughout the paddock.

"I can be the first to admit I'm not an expert in any of these fields and I've got stuff wrong,” he said. “I think that's earned respect. Engineers in the sport at all levels have reached out or responded to help me understand things."

One of the key milestones in establishing his credibility came in 2001 when he began contributing to Racecar Engineering magazine, his first professional motorsport publication.

"Thereafter, it's often been small recognition of my work," he said. "Making an accurate pre-season design prediction, uncovering some tech secret or even getting a Technical Directive created to ban one of my ideas."

Perhaps what has distinguished Scarborough throughout his career is not simply his technical understanding, but his ability to communicate it.

SOURCE: Peter Windsor

Formula 1 technology has become increasingly sophisticated over the past quarter-century, with design departments growing from relatively small groups into vast networks of specialists, from design to structure analysts. Nevertheless, Scarborough has consistently found ways to make complex concepts easy to understand.

"I don't know if I can explain how I do it," he admitted. "But feedback has certainly helped. If someone doesn't understand what I've written or said, they can ask for clarification."

That interaction has become even more important as social media has transformed the way fans engage with technical content.

"When I started, few people were doing F1 tech on the internet," he said. "Today there are dozens, if not hundreds, of accounts putting out some level of technical content."

The audience, he believes, has evolved alongside the sport itself. "I learnt very early that people are definitely interested in Formula 1 technology. Not everyone, and some only want a superficial understanding, but the interest has always been there."

The technical landscape they are following today bears little resemblance to the Formula 1 he first began analyzing. "It's changed massively," Scarborough said. "Compare any part of an F1 car from 2000 and compare it to today – it's like going from the Iron Age to science fiction."

Whilst the power units, tyres and suspension play a vital role in performance, Scarborough believes aerodynamics has become the defining battleground of modern Formula 1.

"There was a tipping point in the late 1980s and 1990s when aero became the key overall factor," he explained.

He points to the revolutionary Tyrrell 019 as an example. The car's high-nose concept challenged conventional race-car design thinking by compromising areas traditionally considered untouchable, including weight distribution and the centre of gravity.

"But it proved that aerodynamic gains could outweigh those compromises. If an aero update creates quicker lap times, then the aero update goes on the car," Scarbs said.

Looking back across Formula 1's many technical eras, Scarborough remains fascinated by the regulation changes and the opportunities they create for innovation.

"The change in aero regulations for 1983 probably hooked me the most," he said. "That was the first time I sat down and predicted what a car might look like and where the loopholes and opportunities could be."

That same curiosity continues to drive him today, particularly as Formula 1 prepares for a future shaped by sustainability, evolving powertrain technologies and new regulations.

"For me, it’s about the future roadmap,” he said. “Where does F1 go with energy, powertrain and chassis design to reflect that? The world is changing, and Formula 1 can no longer just race around burning fuel wastefully. We have started down that road and haven’t found the best route yet. There’s still a lot of blue-sky thinking that needs to come from the FIA in directing F1 and other motorsports into the future.”

For aspiring engineers and journalists hoping to follow a similar path, his advice to you is pretty straightforward: "Make it your only goal and go out, get any experience you can, on top of education, of course.”

Whether through Formula Student, F1 in Schools, eSports, or simulation platforms, Scarborough believes there are opportunities for those willing to create them.

After more than 20 years spent dissecting Formula 1's engineering secrets, Scarbs motivation remains remarkably simple. "For me, it will always be about curiosity," he said. "I'll see something and think: 'How does that work? Can I draw it so I can explain it?'"

It’s the same question that first drew Scarborough towards engineering decades ago – and one that continues to help Formula 1 fans understand the sport beyond what they see on track, or through social media.

You can find Craig Scarborough across all major social media platforms under the handle ScarbsTech.

'Keep trying, grow your network and gain experience': How aspiring professionals can break into Formula 1.

The Red Bull Racing RB8 is being prepared for the Heineken World Tour in Cape Town
PHOTO CREDIT: Slipstream SA/Junaid Samodien

Formula One is often described as the pinnacle of motorsport, where the difference between victory and defeat is often measured in thousandths of a second. Yet achieving those fine margins requires far more than the efforts of the 22 drivers on the grid.

Behind every lap lies the work of thousands, from engineers, strategists, and mechanics to marketing teams, event managers, and support staff, all working towards a single objective: winning.

Unlike many mainstream sports, success in Formula One cannot be attributed solely to superstar talent or the biggest budget. While exceptional drivers remain a critical ingredient, performance is shaped by a complex blend of engineering excellence, technological innovation, operational precision, and strategic execution.

Since its inception in 1950, the Formula 1 World Championship has evolved into a global technological battleground. Manufacturers such as Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, (Red Bull) Ford, (Aston Martin) Honda, and Cadillac have all invested heavily in the championship, applying expertise across everything from power unit development to chassis design in pursuit of a competitive edge.

If you thought Formula One was a small-scale operation, you would be widely off the mark. Like any motorsport discipline, a race car must be conceptualized, designed, manufactured, assembled, developed, and operated. That alone cannot be achieved by a handful of people - it requires hundreds, if not thousands.

The Red Bull Racing team united to celebrate their successes.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

For some, Formula 1 may have a reputation as an exclusive sport reserved for elite drivers and engineers, however, many hopeful’s, truly don’t understand just how vast the Formula One ecosystem is, we spoke to Oscar Cooper, Event Manager for the Heritage Team at Red Bull Racing, who has shed some light on working within the industry, as well as offering some advice for aspiring team members.

“The ecosystem of Formula 1 is massive, right, there's so many different things, and I think the first thing also to say is of course, most people when they think of F1, they think of people working on the car – but there's so much more, you know, every single F1 team runs like a business anyway, right, so you still need IT technicians, you need people who work in finance, but of course people think of, you know, how do I get to the track? But, I think, often the roots into the sport are from the junior formulas or, you know, people who want to be mechanics and engineers. Certainly, mechanics will be going through the motions of, you know, maybe starting in lower-tier formulas, learning different racing series themselves as well, and then finding a way to join F1,” Cooper said.

Cooper is proof that you do not need to be holding a spanner in the garage to play a critical role. As Event Manager for the Heritage Team, he travels the world helping to plan and execute events that showcase the team's historic cars and legacy.

At Red Bull Racing, there is also a unique pathway through the Heritage Team itself, as he explains: “Specifically for Red Bull Racing, the heritage team we have offers a pathway. So, we use the heritage team as a learning platform – we have young mechanics coming in. The heritage team itself is made up of lots of mechanics who have loads of experience from being on the racing team, and they sort of come from that to go back to the heritage team to maybe learn different skills, upskill, and then go back to the race team. So, what we can do is, we can also then have new young mechanics join the team and learn in this heritage team environment, so learn with, you know, it's not the current car, but they're learning the skills on still a modern F1 car and then also understanding how the team operates, so that's quite special for us as well, is that we can use the heritage team to grow talent.”

Having experience is, in many ways, a form of currency within the motorsport industry. The combination of technical ability and cultural understanding can make all the difference when opportunities do arise.

Yet beyond qualifications and hands-on experience, Cooper highlights one quality above all else: ‘passion’.

“For what this sport is and for what it represents to so many people, having the passion really does count. I think you can do lots of jobs where you sort of feel, okay, yeah, it's just a day job, and that's not kind of, it might not be what I really want to do. I think people who really love being in the sport and stay in the sport are the ones that just have the passion, you know, it's an amazing industry to be a part of, but also it can be quite hard work, you are traveling a lot, you're doing 24 races, you're doing long weekends,” he said. “So, you know, you want to make sure also that you really want to be there and that you're really passionate about it, because then you're getting rewarded and you're working really hard to enjoy where you are. So yeah, I think that's probably something I would say, you speak to most people in F1, and they are, they're really passionate about where they are.”

Passion has long been a driving force behind success in Formula One. As Michael Schumacher famously said: “Once something is a passion, the motivation is there.”

Oscar Cooper, Event Manager for the Heritage Team at Red Bull Racing, explains how a Formula 1 car works. 
PHOTO CREDIT: Slipstream SA/Junaid Samodien

For aspiring team members – particularly young South Africans watching from thousands of miles away – Cooper's message carries significant weight. The sport may not currently race in South Africa, or on the African continent for that matter, but South Africans are very much part of the grid.

One such example is Poelane Khutsoane, who works with Red Bull Racing as Country Marketing Lead – a powerful reminder that geography is not a barrier when ambition meets persistence.

The practical advice Cooper offers aspiring team members is simple yet powerful. “The first thing that I would say is just to keep trying. Keep knocking on doors. Look at the different pathways. Volunteer more. Gain experience. Work in different race series if you can,” he said.

Too often, he says, people focus only on Formula One and overlook the broader motorsport landscape.

“I think it's always the case, people see F1, and then they forget that there's so much other racing too, and there's lots of other ways you can continue to gain experience. Of course, F1 is the pinnacle, and it's the top end, and that's something that everybody can strive for. So yeah, continue to gain experience and grow your network and then keep working on it, keep trying,” he added.

What becomes obvious is that there are multiple pathways into Formula 1 – and every skill has value. Whether you're studying engineering, finance, media, hospitality, logistics, or IT, Formula One requires specialists in all of them.

Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from Oscar Cooper's words is that Formula 1 is not a closed shop reserved for a chosen few. It is a vast, complex, and global industry powered by people who refused to give up. So, if Formula One is your ultimate goal, remember the advice offered by those already working within the sport: keep trying, gain experience, and never stop learning.

As Walt Disney said, “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”

So, our question to you is not whether you can reach Formula One – it’s how determined you are to achieve your dream? 

Are you interested in a career at Oracle Red Bull Racing? If so, click this link.

More Than A Race: How Formula 1's return could transform Africa's motorsport future.

Kyalami Grand Prix circuit. 
PHOTO CREDIT: Kyalami/PR Worx

The conversation around Formula 1’s return to Africa is shifting decisively. It is no longer only a question of whether South Africa can host a Grand Prix, but whether the country can move with enough urgency and alignment to secure an opportunity whose sporting, economic, and developmental value is becoming harder to ignore.

Momentum has accelerated over the past year. Kyalami’s proposed upgrade path to FIA Grade 1 status, the standard required to host Formula 1, was approved in June 2025, opening a formal route for the circuit to become eligible once the required works are completed. At the same time, global pressure for Formula 1 to return to Africa has continued to grow, including renewed public backing from Lewis Hamilton, who has repeatedly said he does not want to retire from the sport without racing on the African continent.

For Wesleigh Orr, founder and head coach of WORR Motorsport, the significance of this moment extends far beyond symbolism. 

“South Africa has already proven that it can host events of enormous scale and complexity under international scrutiny. The Formula 1 conversation should now be less about whether we are capable, and more about how the right public and private stakeholders align to make it happen,” Orr said.

South Africa’s ability to deliver major sporting events is well established. The 2010 FIFA World Cup remains a defining example, with 309,554 foreign tourists travelling to the country specifically for the tournament, generating more than R3 billion in direct tourist spend. Those are not abstract legacy figures. They are proof that premium global sport can translate into measurable tourism and hospitality returns for the country.

More recent events reinforce that case. The inaugural LIV Golf tournament at Steyn City generated an economic impact exceeding R800 million, according to South African Tourism, again highlighting the short-term value that high-profile international events can create across the tourism, hospitality, and transport sectors.

“Major international sport is not just about spectatorship,” Orr says. “It is a tourism driver, a destination-marketing platform, a catalyst for jobs, and a powerful signal to investors. South Africa has already demonstrated that it can capture value from world-class events. Formula 1 would take that to another level.”

While circuit readiness has long been framed as the central obstacle, that narrative has evolved. With FIA approval for Kyalami’s Grade 1 upgrade plans already secured, the discussion has shifted towards execution, timelines and stakeholder coordination rather than theoretical feasibility. South Africa, in practical terms, now has a defined pathway rather than a distant aspiration.

Beyond infrastructure and economics, Orr believes the broader impact lies in what a Formula 1 return would mean for the next generation of African drivers.

At present, many of the continent’s most promising drivers are forced to look abroad early if they want to pursue serious single-seater development. The reality is that elite motorsport opportunities are still concentrated outside Africa, making the pathway feel physically, financially, and psychologically distant for many young drivers and their families.

Africa has not hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix since 1993, when Kyalami last featured on the championship calendar, and it remains the only inhabited continent still absent from the Formula 1 calendar today.

“When Formula 1 only happens elsewhere, it can start to feel like the top of the sport belongs somewhere else,” says Orr. “The moment it returns to Africa, it becomes more real. It becomes visible, tangible, and believable for young drivers who need to see that this level of racing is not reserved for other parts of the world.”

That is especially important for South Africa’s own development pipeline. WORR Motorsport is already investing in structured coaching, training, and progression opportunities for young drivers. In that context, a Formula 1 event on African soil would do more than inspire. It would strengthen the credibility of the pathway being built around emerging talent and support the broader African motorsport ecosystem.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that when Formula 1 returns to Africa, African drivers are part of that story. That means sustained grassroots development, proper coaching structures, and competitive opportunities that help turn distant ambition into something practical and achievable,” he adds.

For Orr, the long-term opportunity extends beyond hosting a race. It lies in strengthening Africa’s presence across the sport — from drivers and engineers to technical operations and commercial partnerships.

“It is not only about bringing a race to South Africa,” he says. “It is about building an industry, creating opportunity, and helping more young Africans believe that Formula-level racing is something they can pursue from a place of real proximity, not only from afar.”

As momentum continues to build, South Africa’s Formula 1 case is becoming increasingly clear. The event-hosting track record exists, the circuit pathway is more defined than it has been in years, and global appetite for a race in Africa continues to grow. And, the developmental case for what such a race could unlock for the next generation of African talent is becoming increasingly compelling.

“The question is no longer whether the opportunity is meaningful. The question is whether we are prepared to execute. Because this is bigger than one race. It is about economic value, global visibility, and changing Formula racing in Africa from a distant dream into a more tangible future,” Orr concluded.

Supplied By: PR WORX

Edited: Slipstream SA

From Bricks to a Head-Turner: The Life-size LEGO Mercedes W14 showcase arrives in Cape Town for a limited time.

The life-sized Mercedes W14 EQ Performance on display at the V&A Waterfront
COPYRIGHT: Slipstream SA

LEGO® South Africa, in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, has treated South Africans to a rare and unforgettable nationwide experience, with a life-sized LEGO Mercedes W14 E Performance on tour across the nation. The awe-inspiring activation has stopped off in Cape Town, at one of the city’s most iconic tourist destinations, the V&A Waterfront, where local and international audiences will have unprecedented up-close access to a modern Formula 1 recreation.

The showcase marked a landmark moment for LEGO® South Africa, representing the brand’s first campaign of this scale in the country. More than just a showcase, it’s a celebration of the shared values that unite LEGO® and Mercedes-Benz: precision, engineering excellence, and innovation. 

For the South African spectators, it’s a chance to experience the craftsmanship and detail of a contemporary Formula 1 machine in a way rarely possible outside the paddock.

Designed as a true “big-brand moment,” the campaign was crafted to generate excitement well in advance of the final reveal. Working on the idea of the car being shipped from Singapore, the team built excitement with a “Guess What’s in the Crate” campaign across their social media platforms, which went on to spark a lot of conversations around what it could be, and ultimately, culminated in the brand’s biggest-ever unboxing event.

The life-sized LEGO Mercedes W14 has some incredible detail.
PHOTO CREDIT: Slipstream SA

From the moment the crate touched down at the airport, fans around South Africa were invited to follow the story as it unfolded, building towards a helicopter drop-off and the breathtaking reveal of the LEGO® masterpiece in front of media and motoring enthusiasts at the Mercedes-Benz Experience Centre at Zwartkops Raceway. 

“The reveal forms part of LEGO South Africa’s ongoing commitment to celebrating creativity and innovation through play,” Valery Kasimov, the newly appointed Country Manager for LEGO® South Africa, said.

Mercedes-Benz South Africa highlighted the strong alignment between the two brands, with Claudius Steinhoff, Executive Director MBC & Co-CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa, saying: “This collaboration between LEGO South Africa and Mercedes-Benz is built on shared values of precision, performance, and excellence. The LEGO Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 car celebrates our achievements at the pinnacle of motorsport and reflects the innovation, craftsmanship, and passion that unite both brands.”

The grand public showcase kicked off at the Nelson Mandela Square in November last year and has since traveled across the nation. And, for its penultimate pitstop in South Africa, the life-sized LEGO® Mercedes W14 E Performance has arrived in Cape Town, at one of the city's most iconic tourist locations, the V&A Waterfront. 

As passersby catch a glimpse of the life-sized Mercedes-AMG F1 W14, the reaction is immediate and unmistakable, with audible gasps as they stop in their tracks, instinctively reaching for their phones. Within seconds, the LEGO® display becomes a backdrop for photos and selfies, with curious onlookers moving closer with every step to find out more.

With every step they take closer to the activation, the audience is greeted by very friendly LEGO staff, who assist with all the inquires, also encouraging those present to challenge their building-skill and reflexes, with LEGO® build stations were kids and adults a like can build their own race cars, take it to the “championship racing” high-speed ramp with precision timing systems, and see how they rack up against the competition. And, for those who aren’t keen on building, there is a reflex challenge, which tests your reaction times, mirroring real driver skills. 

The LEGO® Technic Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance and Mercedes-Benz G 500 Professional Line

PHOTO CREDIT: LEGO South Africa and Slipstream SA

And for those who marvel at the sight of the life-sized masterpiece, questions arise, which are quickly answered by the LEGO staff, where it's learnt that the life-sized Mercedes-AMG W14 is based on the LEGO® Technic set, which is available in stores now. 

When asked about the build itself, the curious spectators are informed that the scaled-up LEGO® Technic Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance build took a team of 15 expert builders over 2,438 hours to assemble. The team used a total of 192,937 LEGO bricks, resulting in the build weighing approximately 913 kilograms and measuring 5.1 metres in length and 2.2 metres in width.

The result is an awe-inspiring replica that mirrors the sleek aerodynamic lines, intricate details, and striking presence of its real-world Mercedes-AMG counterpart. And, for those with a keen eye for detail, this life-sized creation features the ‘red star’, which, for many F1 fans, symbolizes Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team's tribute to three-time F1 World Champion and former Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda. 

The LEGO South Africa activation at the V&A Waterfront
PHOTO CREDIT: Slipstream SA

In every sense, the life-sized LEGO Mercedes W14 display, which has been travelling across the nation, is more than a showpiece. “This campaign is for everyone; it is truly South African in every possible way,” LEGO’s spokesperson said. As the LEGO Group strives to connect fans of racing and design by inviting builders of all ages to recreate the world’s most iconic racing cars in the comfort of their homes, it’s true to say that this showcase across the nation has sparked conversation and left a lasting impression on all those in attendance. 

With Cape Town scheduled as the penultimate pitstop for the activation, it’s evident that the clock is very much ticking. For those who have yet to visit, there is still time: the life-sized Mercedes-AMG Petronas W14 will be on display in Cape Town until 25 January 25, before concluding its tour in Johannesburg at Sandton City from 5 to 28 February, 2026. 

The De-brief: Friesacher explains Formula 1’s evolution, what makes Verstappen special, and Rovanperä’s single-seater switch.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Racing is a dream for many, but achieving that dream is a far greater challenge. For many aspiring drivers, the ultimate goal is to reach Formula One. However, reaching the very top demands steadfast commitment, determination, and sacrifice, with no guarantees along the way. For those who do make the cut, the reward is a lifetime achievement, because only 22 drivers can race at the very top. One such driver is Patrick Friesacher, who realized that dream when he competed in Formula One with the Minardi F1 Team in the early 2000s.

The former Formula 1 driver visited Cape Town for the first time in November last year. Although South Africa itself is not unfamiliar territory for him, as he had previously visited the country in 2005 and 2006, when he drove a Formula 1 two-seater at the Kyalami circuit in Johannesburg.

With nearly two decades of involvement in Formula 1 – from racing with Minardi to his current role as an Exhibition Driver, Instructor, and Brand Ambassador for Oracle Red Bull Racing, Friesacher has experienced the sport across different eras. 

From the resource-limited teams in the early 2000s to the highly complex simulation, budget cap, and data-driven operations in the current era of the sport, he has truly seen Formula 1 evolve. The Austrian explains the differences that he has seen, “When I raced for Minardi, it was a pretty small team with a small budget. They were working with around 200 people. Now, at the big teams, with engine departments and everything included, you’re looking at almost 1,600 people. The whole structure is completely different – you can’t really compare.”

Friesacher waves the South African flag at the Heineken World Tour.
IMAGE SUPPLIED: Heineken SA

Friesacher’s motorsport journey began at the age of five, when he started karting. He progressed through the ranks, but it was a victory in a Formula 3000 race at the Hungaroring that truly catapulted the Austrian into the spotlight. That performance caught the attention of the Minardi team principal, Paul Stoddart, who offered Friesacher a test in an F1 car. 

On 22 November 2004, Friesacher completed his first F1 test with Minardi at the Misano circuit in Italy. He completed a total of 41 laps and emerged as the fastest driver of the day – a result that strongly impressed the team.

The performance convinced Stoddart to sign the young Austrian for the 2005 season; however, financial backing initially delayed his entry into Formula 1. 

Dane Nicolas Kiesa was initially earmarked for the 2005 seat; however, he failed to secure the required funding. And, in February that year, Friesacher was announced as a Minardi driver alongside Christijan Albers.

Whilst a career-best sixth-place finish came at the United States Grand Prix during the infamous Michelin tyre debacle, Friesacher’s Formula 1 career came to an end after just eleven races due to a lack of funding from his partners. However, reflecting on his time in the sport, the Austrian said, “It was great to reach Formula 1. It helped me a lot. I will never forget it for my whole life. It’s something special.”

Since then, Formula 1 has evolved into a global technological playground, characterized by substantial budgets, extensive staffing structures, and data-driven and simulation-based development. According to Friesacher, the evolution has not only reshaped the cars, but also the demands placed on the drivers these days. 

The current age of Formula 1 places high demands on drivers, including the new younger generation, who require not only raw speed but also technical intelligence, because data and feedback are critical to the development and optimization of a race car.

As Formula One evolved through the years, so has the technology. If you take a look back at the early 2000s, when teams used naturally aspirated V8 engines, it wasn't easy at all for the smaller teams to fight their way forward and truly challenge the powerhouse teams, who had the backing of enormous budgets, unrestricted testing, high-end equipment, and simulations.

Regulatory changes eventually brought an end to the fan-favourite V8 engines with KERS, ushering in the highly complex hybrid era. V6 turbo power units were introduced, complete with MGU-K and MGU-H energy recovery systems, which entered a new chapter in Formula One’s history — one dominated by Mercedes High Performance Powertrains (HPP). That era yielded eight constructors’ championships and seven drivers’ titles, underscoring the importance of investment and technical know-how.

As the dominant Mercedes era came to an end, Formula 1 entered a transitional phase, which began in 2021. Max Verstappen’s title-winning season ushered in the beginning of the ground-effect era that would follow in 2022, during which one driver consistently rose above the rest, asserting dominance and later overcoming obstacles to fight for victories once more.

Having worked within the Red Bull Racing family for years, Friesacher has witnessed Verstappen’s rise firsthand – from teenage prodigy to four-time Formula 1 World Champion. “He's very special," Friesacher exclusively told Slipstream SA. “Even for his young age, he knows what he's doing, he understands the car, he's building the right people around him, and everything together, the whole package that he has.”

What stands out most to the Austrian is Verstappen’s ability to extract maximum performance from a car.

“Driving-wise – his driving style, even in the rain, in the wet, you see he's driving different lines, and yeah, he has something very special, I would say,” he said.

Adaptability has become one of the most valuable traits in modern motorsport, as demonstrated by Fernando Alonso, who took part in the world toughest rally-raid, the Dakar Rally, and the World Endurance Championship, whilst Max Verstappen’s participation — and victory – in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) alongside Chris Lulham, illustrates how top drivers are no longer confined to a single discipline.

It’s a reality now facing two-time World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä, who made headlines after announcing his move to the Japanese Super Formula championship.

Data analysis following Kalle Rovenpera's run in the Red Bull F1 car.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Rovanperä’s rise in the World Rally Championship has often been described as meteoric. The Finn won his first WRC title at just 22 years old. He combined exceptional car control with maturity. However, transitioning from the world of rallying to high-downforce, single-seater racing presents an entirely new challenge.

In November 2024, the Finn was invited to drive a Red Bull Racing Formula 1 car at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Before the outing, he underwent an intensive training programme under Friesacher’s guidance, which included extensive simulator work, driving Formula 4 machinery, a Formula Renault 3.5 car, and ultimately a 2012 Red Bull RB8 — completing around 10 laps to experience true downforce levels and the performance of a Formula 1 car.

Rovanperä described the experience to DirtFish.com after driving the RB8, saying, “It was really cool to finally sit in an F1 car. It’s definitely really a different feeling than what a rally car gives with the seating position and everything – how it’s set up. So yeah, for sure, I was really excited to get to finally drive an F1 car.”

“With an F1 car, you definitely have so much downforce that, physically, it’s very different than a Rally1 car; you have a lot more g-forces, but it was pretty much how I expected it. Not too bad to be honest, but of course, if you do a long race, you can definitely feel the g-forces.”

“I was excited for the day, and it went pretty well. I got to experience three different formulas, so it was a good experience, and I think yeah, we did well, and I enjoyed it a lot!”, he said.

In 2026, Rovanperä will complete his transition to high-downforce single-seaters by competing in Super Formula – a challenge that will test both his adaptability and technical understanding.

“I think it will be hard,” Friesacher said. “Speed-wise, at the Red Bull Ring, he was quick. But the difficult part in racing is always the last three or four tenths.”

That final margin, he explained, often separates good from excellent in the circuit racing realm. While a driver can adapt quickly to reach a competitive baseline, extracting the final one thousandth of a second – especially over a race distance – requires deep technical understanding, confidence, and experience.

“You get very quickly to a certain point, but the last half a tenth — that’s the difficult part. But it won't be easy for him; it will be difficult,” he said.  

Motorsport history offers numerous examples of drivers who have successfully crossed disciplines, including Sir John Surtees, Mario Andretti, Petter Solberg, Stéphane Peterhansel, Sébastien Loeb, Mattias Ekström, and, more recently, Johan Kristoffersson.

All of these drivers have demonstrated remarkable versatility, adaptability, and mental resilience in achieving the success that they have across different disciplines.

The 45-year-old Austrian, now a resident instructor at the Red Bull Ring, has helped guide multiple world champions during their first experiences in Formula 1 machinery, including Sébastien Ogier and Sébastien Loeb.

 Patrick Friesacher explains the different features of the cockpit at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

With a wealth of experience as both a former Formula 1 driver and instructor, his advice to young drivers climbing the motorsport ladder remains simple.

“[Be] hard working, have a dream, reach your goals, and just go for it,” he said.

In motorsport, time is everything – the difference between first and last is often measured in thousandths of a second, because time is of the essence. And, when spending time with someone who has reached the very top of the motorsport pyramid, it offers something far more valuable: perspective. And as the world evolves, so too does the relentless pursuit of the perfect lap time.

*THIS CONTENT IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. NO UNAUTHORISED USE IS PERMITTED. PERMISSION MUST BE OBTAINED IN ADVANCE, AND FULL CREDIT TO SLIPSTREAM SA IS REQUIRED.