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The new formula 1 season is underway and the drama is on. Prior to the season commencement, Netflix released the latest edition of Drive To Survive. I understand not all accounts can view it as at now (my apologies for spoilers) but I want to assure you that it’s worth the wait. Try to watch it whenever you can or when it’s available, whichever one comes first.
As I watched Drive To Survive 4, I realized that through the drama, a lot of lessons were on display to be learned. After all, what’s the purpose of telling a story if not to teach a few lessons here and there. So, I am going to share some of the lessons I picked up while I binged on Netflix’s F1 documentary.
Lesson 1: You’re a live target when on top
Life is full of several challenges and many people, if not all, at one point or another, strive to make it to the top. Most successful people will admit that it’s more difficult staying at the top than getting there. Mercedes AMG have been at the pinnacle of F1 leaderboards since 2014. Year-on-year, they won the constructor’s title and kept winning. Last year was no different as they came out on top, again.
Being on top can be difficult as you have to fight to prevent complacency. When on top, you become the standard everyone wants to beat. It can get very personal for your competition when you become that dominant. You can easily be turned into the object of hatred. Nonetheless, you have to stay ahead of the competition who are gunning for that same top spot. You must ensure you stay relevant to keep your dominance, because no one wants second place when they could be first.
Lesson 2: Know your own abilities
With Mercedes’ dominance, every other team had to find their own level and act accordingly. The likes of McLaren and Ferrari knew they were not going to beat Mercedes, so they decided to set targets that matched their strengths. While Red Bull was challenging for first spot, Ferrari and McLaren where struggling for third spot.
You always have to understand your strengths and limitations in every challenge. Careful assessment of one’s abilities will help you set realistic targets and encourage you to push towards them. Overestimating your abilities will lead to failure and underestimating your weaknesses will leave you open to attacks. Knowing your abilities will help you to properly allocate resources and prepare for a time when you can actually challenge for number 1 position.
Lesson 3: Everyone has their own battles
Another relevant point from Drive To Survive 4 is that everyone has their own battles. While Red Bull was challenging Mercedes, Ferrari was fighting against McLaren for third. Alpine was pushing to beat Alpha Tauri. Further down the field, Williams was struggling to get points while Haas battled to just stay in the game.
There’s always going to be a pecking order because all fingers are not created equal. As such, knowing where you stand in that order can be very helpful towards strategizing to move up. Today, you may be down, but your status can change and drastically so if you accurately understand your start point.
Lesson 4: Know when to change strategy
Oh, this is very important. Most people get stuck in a loop of misery because they find it difficult to change. When you try something over and over again and it’s not working, change your approach. Better still, like Williams did, get new personnel.
Williams, after struggling for years on end, without being able to glimpse the glories of their former selves, decided to change strategy. The former team principal, Claire Harris, humbly gave way to a new team principal, Jost Capito. The team finally made a few more points and the change seems to working well.
Williams were not the only ones in this. Renault, after years of struggle and their name being associated with bad engines, changed strategy. They rebranded and came out stronger. When things are not working out as is, know when to call it quits or pivot to something different!
Lesson 5: Hit the reset button when needed
Many times, when we go through challenges, it’s not that we are not good enough or lack ability. Sometimes, your mind is just too crowded. Hitting the reset button can do you much good.
We all love Daniel Ricciardo because he reminds us of the happy feeling we get when we’re enjoying ourselves. His smiley face and jokes keep us entertained and less glum. Last season was a terrible time for him at McLaren before the summer break. His performances were abysmal, way below his own standards. His teammate, Lando Norris, did not make it easier as he kept bringing in the points for McLaren. Ricciardo felt the pressure and was unable to get out of his downward spiral. That was all before the summer break.
During the break, Ricciardo got time to decompress and overcame the mental agony he was suffering. Basically, he hit the reset button. The second half of the season was going to be different. After the break, Ricciardo showed his quality by putting in a brave performance at Monza to win the Italian GP. Deservedly, a one-two finish for McLaren that day.
Later, I will share five more lessons I learnt from watching Drive To Survive 4. Be on the look out for it. Enjoy reflecting on these ones in the mean time.