You may think about F1© The Movie whatever you want ... Too much hyped, too much Hollywood, and too unrealistic at times. It’s easy to dismiss it as just another flashy racing film filled with clichés and over-the-top drama. But I think beneath the glitz and glamour, the exaggerations and fireworks lies a story that resonates far beyond the race track.

It's the story of the underdog - and it works like this: When you can’t compete on the same terms as everyone else, you have to find another way forward and choose a different approach. This is what Sonny Hayes (played by Brad Pitt) does to save his Apex F1 team. Ok, his ways may be extreme and not always recommendable in real life … But the message is clear: if you’re up against Goliath, sometimes you need a bold move that no one sees coming.

And that’s highly relevant outside of racing, too. In business, in leadership, in life. Breakthroughs often come when you dare to look at challenges differently and find new ways to improve. That’s what can turn everything around.

Formula 1 is full of these stories - and this is why I think there’s a lot you can learn from this sport of extremes.

True Leaders Don't Always Play It Safe

Having a mission and going all in doesn't mean you're everybody's darling. What we can learn here is that true leadership isn’t defined by always making the “safe” choice or pleasing everyone. It’s about unshakable commitment, inspiring loyalty, and the ability to still believe in the impossible when everybody else starts doubting.

This is also what makes Formula 1 so special — both on screen and in real life. Giving up is simply not an option. The top teams and drivers are relentlessly focused on opportunities, constantly searching for solutions instead of dwelling on setbacks. Every mistake becomes a stepping stone for improvement.

Failures Are Your Fast Track to Growth

Again and again, we hear it from F1 champions, world-class athletes, and high performers in every field: growth comes from failure. Sometimes, you have to “fail forward” before you can start winning. It's the resillience that makes the difference ...

Giving up is easy, but pushing through setbacks builds strength, confidence, and the kind of mindset that defines true champions. And this doesn’t just apply to racing — it applies to business, leadership, and life.

This winner-mindset is the best 'Set-Up' you can have for your personal challenge, no matter if you are an athelete, CEO or any kind of team leader. Once you understand how to inspire the people around you with your decisions, you'll get the extra horsepower you need to push forward and overcome obstacles.

This is exactly why we created our F1-inspired Leadership & Communication Training. Because we truly believe that DRIVING EXCELLENCE isn’t just for racers — it’s a skill anyone with a vision and determination can master.

Are you ready to take the wheel? 🏎️

P.S.: How do you like the painting of my favourite movie scene? 😉