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 [email protected] or visit our website 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.

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 [email protected] or visit our website 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.

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 [email protected] or visit our website 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.

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 [email protected] or visit our website 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.

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

🎤  Interested in booking Marc Priestley to speak at your next event? Get in touch with the Performance Insights team 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 [email protected] or visit our website 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.

This week on The Business of Winning, we’re coming to you live from the Melbourne Grand Prix with Mark Gallagher and Guenther Steiner!

Recorded after the first practice session of the 2025 season, Mark and Guenther dive into the early action on track, discussing the standout performances, team dynamics, and what the first session reveals about the competitive landscape this year.

Guenther shares behind-the-scenes stories from his Unfiltered book tour around Australia, including his highlights and the incredible reception so far — plus, a preview of what’s to come on the rest of his UK tour later this year with Fane Productions.

In this episode, we also explore how the business side of Formula 1 is shaping up this season, from the latest sponsor deals to how teams are positioning themselves for success both on and off the track.

With years of combined experience in the F1 paddock, Mark and Guenther offer expert insights on what to expect as the season unfolds — and which teams might have an edge heading into the next round.

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 [email protected] or visit our website 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.

This week on The Business of Winning, we’re joined by Jennie Gow, an accomplished motorsport journalist and broadcaster with a unique perspective on Formula 1. Jennie shares her thoughts on the early stages of F1 testing, reflecting on the cars hitting the track and what fans should be watching for as the season unfolds.

Mark and Jennie also discuss the buzz surrounding the F175 launch at O2, diving into fan, media, and team reactions. But the real highlight of this episode is Jennie's book “How to Read F1”. Jennie gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the book, which is packed with fun, informative insights for F1 fans of all levels. 

With 15 years in the F1 world, Jennie also reflects on her remarkable career, including unforgettable one-on-one interviews with legends like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. As an ambassador for FIA Girls on Track, she discusses initiatives around gender and cultural diversity in motorsport, like the F1 Academy and More Than Equal, and her thoughts on the future of these efforts in F1.

Finally, with the Australian Grand Prix just around the corner, Jennie gives us her predictions for Melbourne and shares what she expects will be the major stories of the 2025 F1 season. 

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 [email protected] or visit our website 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.

This week on The Business of Winning, we’re joined by Christian Klien, a former Formula 1 driver who raced for Jaguar and Red Bull Racing before building a successful career in sports car and GT racing. With a front-row seat to Red Bull’s rise from an underdog team to a dominant force, Christian shares his reflections on those early years, his relationship with team founder Dietrich Mateschitz, and what made Red Bull Racing so successful.

Mark and Christian also dive into the biggest stories of the 2025 F1 season—Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari, Max Verstappen’s title defence, and the rise of young talent in the sport. Can Red Bull remain on top without Adrian Newey? Is McLaren the team to beat? And how will Mercedes handle life without Lewis?

Beyond racing, Christian discusses the business lessons he’s learned from his time in F1, both as a driver and commentator, and what leaders can take away from Red Bull’s winning formula.

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 [email protected] or visit our website 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.

This week on The Business of Winning, we’re joined by Neil Martin, a pioneer in Formula 1 race strategy and data analytics. Having worked with teams like McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull Racing, Neil played a key role in revolutionising how teams use data to gain a competitive edge.

Beyond motorsport, Neil shares the business lessons leaders can take from F1’s data-driven approach—how real-time decision-making, risk management, and predictive analytics can transform industries far beyond the racetrack.

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 [email protected] or visit our website 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.

This week on The Business of Winning, we’re joined by Bradley Scanes, performance coach to World Champion Max Verstappen between 2019 and 2023, one of the team responsible for helping the Dutch ace to secure multiple titles. From his start in the NHS to working with world-class athletes on Harley Street and in the high-pressure environment of F1 pit lanes, Brad’s career journey is nothing short of fascinating.

In this episode, Brad and Mark break down the unique physical and mental demands drivers face, the tailored training regimens they follow, and how they prepare for the challenges of the sport. 

Exploring the role of mental health and resilience in motorsport, the importance of tailoring coaching strategies to individual athletes, and lessons from Bradley’s work that apply far beyond the track—whether in business or life.

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 [email protected] or visit our website 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.