Racing at the Speed of Data: What It Takes to Win in the World of Formula One

By Cory Minton, Field CTO

What does it take to build and race cars that go more than 200 miles an hour? 

In the high-octane world of racing, it's not just the skill of the driver and the top-notch racecar that matter. Data emerges as a secret weapon, shaping everything from the production line to the pulse-pounding moments on the track. Recently, I had the exhilarating opportunity to chat with Zak Brown, the mastermind behind McLaren Racing.

According to Zak, data isn't just important; it's the lifeblood of the business. It's not enough to have a flood of information; you need to harness it, dissect it, and use it to make split-second decisions. "Racing has transformed from relying on gut instinct to being driven by hard data," Zak reveals. "And if you ignore what the data tells you, you're bound to miss the mark."

During our conversation, Zak shares  what it's like collaborating with racing phenoms like Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as well as  the thrilling story behind McLaren's record-breaking pit stop, clocking in at an astonishing 1.80 seconds. And just when I thought the adrenaline couldn't get any higher, Zak drops the bombshell about Brad Pitt portraying him in the upcoming Formula One blockbuster.