The Business of Winning Podcast

Martin Donnelly - A Career Lost, A Life Won: the inspirational storyline behind F1 The Movie

In this episode of The Business of Winning, we sit down with former Formula 1 driver Martin Donnelly to explore one of the most extraordinary journeys in motorsport. From his racing roots in Belfast to fighting his way onto the Formula 1 grid, Martin reflects on the grit, ambition and sacrifice required to reach the top. He shares candid insight into the political realities of elite motorsport, the pressure of competing against established teammates and the mindset needed to seize opportunity. Martin recounts his life-altering accident at the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix, an incident that ended his Formula 1 career and reshaped his life. With honesty and humour, he speaks about survival, resilience and rebuilding purpose when everything changes in an instant. Three decades later, that defining moment came full circle when Martin received an unexpected call from Lewis Hamilton, leading to his involvement in F1: The Movie. His real-life story inspired Brad Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, with Martin advising on the film and attending the London premiere. This episode is a powerful reminder that winning isn’t always about titles or trophies, but about how you respond when the race changes completely. A must-listen for anyone interested in leadership under pressure, elite performance and life beyond the finish line. Performance Insights specialises in bringing impactful keynote speakers from motorsport industries to global events, conferences and seminars. For enquiries, please reach out to us at enquiries@performanceinsights.co.uk [enquiries@performanceinsights.co.uk] or visit our website www.performanceinsights.co.uk. [http://www.performanceinsights.co.uk/] Join the conversation on socials using #BusinessofWinning and share your thoughts! Follow us @P1nsights for the latest updates.  Intro recorded by: Charlie Barlow.

Behaviour and Leadership with Xevi Pujolar and Nash Mayuela.

This week, we’re joined by Xevi Pujolar and Nash Mayuela. Xevi, best known for leading trackside operations at Sauber, lifts the lid on life on the pit wall: rapid-fire decision-making, pressure resilience, and the teamwork required to execute at the highest level of motorsport. Nash brings a complementary perspective, breaking down the behavioural science behind elite performance and how data-driven insights can be transformed into practical frameworks for teams in any industry. A fascinating conversation for anyone interested in leadership, performance and the mindset behind winning. Performance Insights specialises in bringing impactful keynote speakers from motorsport industries to global events, conferences and seminars. For enquiries, please reach out to us at enquiries@performanceinsights.co.uk [enquiries@performanceinsights.co.uk] or visit our website www.performanceinsights.co.uk. [http://www.performanceinsights.co.uk/] Join the conversation on socials using #BusinessofWinning and share your thoughts! Follow us @P1nsights for the latest updates.  Intro recorded by: Charlie Barlow.

Annastiina Hintsa: The Human Performance Engine Behind Formula 1

What can Formula 1 teach us about human performance, wellbeing and sustaining success under immense pressure? This week we are joined by CEO Annastiina Hintsa. The groundbreaking partnership between her father, Dr Aki Hintsa, and Mika Häkkinen sparked a movement that now sees Hintsa’s world-renowned coaches supporting more than 60% of today’s Formula 1 grid. Annastiina offers a rare inside look at the holistic approach that has powered multiple World Championships and reshaped how elite drivers prepare, perform, and recover. She reflects on her father’s legacy, the creation of Hintsa’s renowned “Circle of Success” model and why identity, focus and control are central to high performance. Annastiina also unpacks the pressures facing modern drivers such as social media scrutiny or the relentless calendar of Formula 1, explaining why today’s executives face many of the same challenges around distraction, decision-making and sustainable performance. 🎧 A must-listen for fans of Formula 1, leadership, human performance and personal development. 🎤 Interested in booking Annastiina to speak at your next event? Get in touch to find out more. Performance Insights specialises in bringing impactful keynote speakers from motorsport industries to global events, conferences and seminars. For enquiries, please reach out to us at enquiries@performanceinsights.co.uk [enquiries@performanceinsights.co.uk] or visit our website www.performanceinsights.co.uk. [http://www.performanceinsights.co.uk/] Join the conversation on socials using #BusinessofWinning and share your thoughts! Follow us @P1nsights for the latest updates.  Intro recorded by: Charlie Barlow.

Safety, Speed and the Pursuit of Performance with Marcin Budkowski

What can Formula 1 teach us about engineering excellence, leadership and staying calm under pressure? Former FIA executive and F1 team leader Marcin Budkowski joins host Mark Gallagher to share insights from a career spent at the heart of the sport’s technical and safety evolution. From analysing the dramatic Gabriel Bortoleto crash in São Paulo to breaking down Max Verstappen’s remarkable consistency and Oscar Piastri’s recent challenges, Marcin offers an insider’s view of the 2025 season and the unseen work that keeps drivers safe and teams competitive. He also reflects on his journey through Formula 1 - from sending handwritten letters to every technical director to landing his first role at Prost Grand Prix, navigating the emotional collapse of the team and moving to Ferrari at the height of its Schumacher-era dominance. Marcin speaks on what he learned from working alongside Jean Todt, Ross Brawn, Rory Byrne and Michael Schumache and how high-performing cultures are built, protected and sustained. 🎧 A must-listen for fans of Formula 1, engineering, leadership and high performance. 🎤 Interested in booking Marcin Budkowski to speak at your next event? Get in touch to find out more. Performance Insights specialises in bringing impactful keynote speakers from motorsport industries to global events, conferences and seminars. For enquiries, please reach out to us at enquiries@performanceinsights.co.uk [enquiries@performanceinsights.co.uk] or visit our website www.performanceinsights.co.uk. [http://www.performanceinsights.co.uk/] Join the conversation on socials using #BusinessofWinning and share your thoughts! Follow us @P1nsights for the latest updates.  Intro recorded by: Charlie Barlow.

Pit Lane Lessons with Marc Priestley

What can Formula 1 teach us about life, work and winning? Former McLaren mechanic and Wheeler Dealers presenter Marc Priestley joins host Mark Gallagher to share lessons from his new book Pit Lane Lessons: What F1 Can Teach You About Life and Work. From the pressure of two-second pit stops to the relentless pursuit of perfection under Ron Dennis, Marc reveals how elite teams maintain motivation across a 24-race season, celebrate small wins, and build cultures that thrive under pressure. He also explores how innovation in F1 isn’t just about technology - it’s a mindset - and how anyone can apply that same thinking to their own performance, leadership and teamwork. 🎧 A must-listen for fans of Formula 1, high performance and personal growth.    📖 Get your copy of Marc’s book, available on Amazon here [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pitlane-Lessons-What-Teach-About/dp/1847928951/ref=asc_df_1847928951?mcid=14925a69482b3168b1dff7367d78c050&th=1&psc=1&hvocijid=17201300894997369800-1847928951-&hvexpln=74&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17201300894997369800&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9218818&hvtargid=pla-2281435176618&psc=1&gad_source=1] 🎤  Interested in booking Marc Priestley to speak at your next event? Get in touch with the Performance Insights team [https://performanceinsights.co.uk/our-talent/marc-priestley] to find out more. Performance Insights specialises in bringing impactful keynote speakers from motorsport industries to global events, conferences and seminars. For enquiries, please reach out to us at enquiries@performanceinsights.co.uk [enquiries@performanceinsights.co.uk] or visit our website www.performanceinsights.co.uk. [http://www.performanceinsights.co.uk/] Join the conversation on socials using #BusinessofWinning and share your thoughts! Follow us @P1nsights for the latest updates.  Intro recorded by: Charlie Barlow.