Feb 2022 MA Final MAL46 | Page 47

LEADERSHIP to ensure smooth working . Processes are perfected into ‘ standard operating procedures ( SOP ). Processes for all the activities are connected to the organisational values , culture and style so that they get integrated and interactive . Systems maintain the team and driver ’ s activity within the norms of the authorized body and also enable effectiveness , productivity and excellence . They facilitate proper understanding and smooth functioning that leads to operational excellence . Systems deliver more with the same resource base through accelerated and coordinated efforts . Systems develop ‘ silent precision ’ by avoiding any ambiguity and chaos . Systems also ensure that all activities remain productive , towards mission and within the strategy framework .

In F-1 the racers are driving at around 300 km per hour on a zig-zag track . There is a neck-to-neck tussle with the competitors . A small error can threaten the safety of a Rs 100-million car and the life of the driver . The race also offers lessons in communication . There are serious limitations on when , how , and how much can be communicated to a driver , even though modern communication equipment is available . Sensing vibes , developing telepathy are challenges on the way . There is no scope for arguments and strong differences while racing in F-1 . Great F-1 teams are about diversity and heterogeneity of skills and knowledge . But the pace of resolving differences and developing alignments ultimately decides the pace of the car .

Although F-1 appears racer ’ s game , it is purely a team game . There are about 19-20 roles in every team . The racer ( driver ), the technical team of engineers and mechanics , the data analysts , the strategists , team principal , HR , Finance , PR , and many more . There are over 1000 members in this organization and it has a vision , mission and values . The race is won by a driver , only with the strong support of his technical and non-technical team . His on-field partner has to supplement him and partner the team ’ s success with his performance .

F-1 is not just one battle but there are 23 races played in the different parts of the world . To win the war ( the championship ), teams have to win 23 battles on different battlefields with radically different terrain . Every racing ground has some speciality , different levels of difficulty and challenges to overcome .

Like business , F-1 has fierce competitive situations . Ferrari won the world F-1 championship for 16 years , Mercedes for 10 years , McLaren for 8 years , Red Bull for 4 years , Honda engine for 6 years . Careful analysis of each team and each driver is important . One has to understand their style , mindset , compulsions , moods during the match , equation with the team and with the other player . Reading the minds of strategists , data analysts and team managers are equally important because it heavily influences various decisions like pit-stop , tyre selection , etc .

F-1 has a perfect VUCA environment that prevails in war and business . It must respond to volatility , uncertainty , complexity and ambiguity . Sudden incidence of rain , tyre change , pit stop delay , penalty to a driver for some rule violation or an accident can be the game-changer . All such factors are unpredictable and uncertain . They get mixed up to create a complex racing environment . A lot of coordination , discussion , deliberations are required on and off the field before , during and after the race .

Crafting the apt strategy is the key . Even successful champions and legends have to keep their ego aside and adapt to the collective wisdom of the team . They have to align their thoughts and actions to the strategy crafted by the team .

Smart tactics have to be designed and executed , instantly , on the field . Tactics are played as a response to the VUCA environment , to nullify strong competitive moves and to support strategy implementation .

F-1 and Strategy

Strategy is the main tool used in F-1 . Crafting strategy is a core skill . There are striking similarities in strategy crafting in the corporate world and Formula-1 racing .

In Business , strategy crafting is discovering the critical hurdle on the way forward and then designing a comprehensive way , by focusing policies , resources , actions , etc to overcome that hurdle or challenges . Strategy crafting involves making choices and comprehensive decisions on the challenges posed . It requires a deep understanding of the business . ( Richard Rumelt )

In Formula-1 Racing , strategy crafting is discovering the critical hurdles in racing ( like weather , type of track , pole position , closely competing players , etc .) and designing a comprehensive game plan in terms of the requirement for pit-stop ; tyre selection and changing strategy ; etc . It requires a deep understanding of the game , the track , the car , and the competitors .

As the definition goes , the strategy starts with identifying critical hurdles on the way towards the mission , vision and goals . Discovering hurdles need a thorough environmental scanning . As discussed earlier , the VUCA environment prevails in F1 racing .

Volatile Environment ( V )

When the environment changes suddenly and also unexpectedly it is called volatile . Strategy crafting in such a volatile environment becomes like walking on the wet floor . But in the case of F1 , it is even worse , walking on the floor with soap water spilt over it . Some driver may suddenly face some technical snag and hit other cars , inflicting damages . Sometimes they are impossible to rectify and the other player also goes out of the race for no fault their own . Or , a car bangs on the side barrier and spreads debris on track inviting unwelcomed safety cars . The game gets disrupted .

Uncertain Environment ( U )

Uncertainty refers to a constantly changing environment . It is like hitting a moving target . One has to guess the trajectory of the projectile and select an apt shot . Driving in F1 is also about judging the movements of competing cars , considering their trajectory and making moves accordingly . Car engines , tyres and breaks perform differently in different climates . Hence , different drivers compete closely in different races . Accidents also add to the uncertainty .

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