Paddock Influence
Formula 1
Independent coverage · Business, culture & human stories
Two BWT Alpine Formula One drivers pose in pink and blue race suits against a pink and blue smoke background.
Strategy & Analysis / 10 min read

Alpine - In the Ascendancy or a Flashpoint Moment?

Briatore is back, Colapinto is rising, Gucci is arriving, and Alpine’s long-running search for stability may finally be reaching a defining moment.

PI
by Thiemo Albers-Daly · May 31, 2026
Gucci Racing Alpine Formula One Team - car reveal with Gucci Racing livery cover
Sponsorship & Brands / 6 min read

From Benetton to Gucci: Fashion Returns to Enstone

Briatore is back, Colapinto is rising, Gucci is arriving, and Alpine’s long-running search for stability may finally be reaching a defining moment.

PI
by Philip Hurst · May 30, 2026
Does Kimi Antonelli need to become Formula 1 World Champion in 2026?
Strategy & Analysis / 6 min read

Does Kimi Antonelli need to become Formula 1 World Champion in 2026?

After a third straight Grand Prix victory in Miami, Kimi Antonelli's rise is becoming a question of expectation, pressure, and whether anything short of a 2026 title will be enough.

PI
by Thiemo Albers-Daly · May 6, 2026
If You No Longer Go for a Gap
Legacy & People / 4 min read

If You No Longer Go for a Gap...

Thirty-two years after Imola, Ayrton Senna's legacy remains inseparable from Formula 1 itself. A tribute to the champion whose brilliance, rivalry, and tragic loss forever changed motorsport.

PI
by Thiemo Albers-Daly · May 1, 2026
Formula 1 in 2026 - Paradigm Shifts and World Building
Strategy & Analysis / 8 min read

Formula 1 in 2026 - Paradigm Shifts & World Building

After the opening three rounds of the 2026 season, early performance trends are beginning to take shape across the grid - from Mercedes' resurgence to growing pressure on established frontrunners and the rise of new contenders.

PI
by Thiemo Albers-Daly · April 21, 2026
The Undeclared War
Sponsorship & Brands / 5 min read

The Undeclared War: Audi vs Aston Martin vs Red Bull vs McLaren

Beneath the opening races of 2026, a quiet but significant battle is taking shape between four teams, with decisions off track already starting to influence what comes next.

PI
by Thiemo Albers-Daly · April 15, 2026
TGR Haas Godzilla
Sponsorship & Brands / 8 min read

The Monster on the Grid: How TGR Haas and Godzilla Built a Fan Engagement Strategy

At the Japanese Grand Prix, Haas turned a branded livery into a broader engagement play, aligning with local culture to extend its presence far beyond the paddock.

PI
by Olga Ganay and Thiemo Albers-Daly · March 22, 2026
Suzuka
Strategy & Analysis / 6 min read

Suzuka: The Lap Is Written at the Entry

At Suzuka, the defining phase of the lap comes before the apex. How the car is placed on entry sets the tone for everything that follows through the sequence.

PI
by Olga Ganay · March 8, 2026
Melbourne Shanghai
Strategy & Analysis / 7 min read

Power, Not Downforce: What Melbourne and Shanghai Really Proved

After the first two races of the 2026 Formula 1 season, early patterns are emerging. Mercedes leads with strong energy management, while Red Bull and McLaren face reliability challenges.

PI
by Olga Ganay and Thiemo Albers-Daly · Feb 28, 2026
Formula 1 Returns
Strategy & Analysis / 5 min read

Formula 1 Returns: What Can We Expect in 2026?

A look ahead at the new season - new regulations, new teams, and the questions that will define Formula 1 in 2026.

PI
by Thiemo Albers-Daly · March 4, 2026
F1 New Rules 2026
Strategy & Analysis / 5 min read

F1 New Rules for 2026: Smaller Cars and a New Technical Era

The most radical regulation changes in years - smaller cars, new power units, and what it all means for the competitive order.

PI
by Olga Ganay · March 3, 2026
Psychology of Speed
Paddock Culture / 6 min read

The Psychology of Speed: What Separates Elite Formula 1 Drivers

Beyond raw talent - the mental frameworks, decision-making patterns and psychological traits that define the very best in Formula 1.

PI
by Olga Ganay · March 2, 2026
F1 Growth United States
Sponsorship & Brands / 5 min read

Why F1 Is Experiencing Unprecedented Growth in the United States

From Drive to Survive to sold-out grands prix - how Formula 1 conquered America and what it means for the sport's commercial future.

PI
by Olga Ganay · March 1, 2026