Top Formula 1 Speakers

Susie Wolff is the iconic UK racing champion who raced for Williams in Formula 1, first in 2014 at British Grand Prix, where she became the first woman to take part in a Formula 1 race weekend in 22 years, and then in 2015 for FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

Since retiring from competitive driving at the end of 2015, Susie has held a series of corporate racing positions, with her current role being the CEO of Venturi Racing, Monaco’s only racing team.

In both her experience as a driver and a businesswoman, Susie has been dedicated to increasing the intake of women in motorsports. In 2016, she launched the ‘Dare to be Different’ campaign, delivering racing opportunities to young girls around the world. In 2017, due to her contribution to women in sport, she was appointed an MBE.

A renowned Formula 1 driver, broadcaster, and author, David Coulthard is one of the world’s most recognised sports personalities.

His racing accolades and accomplishments include winning 12 Grand Prix (British and Monaco Grand Prix); on no fewer than 5 occasions scoring in the top 3 of the World Championship for Drivers; and winning the inaugural McLaren Autosport ‘Young Driver of the Year Award’ in 1989.

Off the track, David is the non-Executive Chairman of W Series, the world’s first professional all-women single-seater racing series, and he is the President of the British Racing Drivers Club which owns and operates Silverstone Circuit in the UK. He continues to drive Red Bull’s F1 cars at promotional events and is co-commentator for Channel 4’s Formula 1 coverage in the UK. His second book, The Winning Formula, made the Sunday Times Best Seller list in 2018.

Having held multiple executive positions at Formula 1, Mark Gallagher is the world’s leading expert on the commercial and operational aspects of racing, including the sport’s regulatory, business, and technology landscape.

During his career, he spent over a decade on the management board of the Jordan Grand Prix team, running the world-famous Cosworth engine business and establishing the commercial arm of Red Bull Racing. He has also held multiple positions in FIA, the governing body for racing, where he played a pivotal role in tackling many of the sport’s greatest technical challenges including how to ensure safety and environmental sustainability.

He continues to work with drivers and teams at the forefront of racing as an author, broadcaster, and industry analyst. He is the founder of Performance Insights, the Formula 1 consulting business; is a writer and broadcaster for GP Racing Magazine and Autosport; and has published three books on racing.

Neil Martin is a pioneer in Formula 1, due to the use of data analytics in motor racing. He is known for revolutionising the approach to Race Strategy modelling so that uncertainty is embraced rather than ignored.

He spent over 25 years in the senior technical leadership teams at McLaren, Red Bull Racing and Ferrari. Since, he has founded Random Logic, providing world-class consultancy and analytical software to top racing stakeholders.

Software which is originally designed and developed by Neil is used by over half the Formula 1 grid today. He led the development of Formula 1’s mission control rooms, driver-in-the-loop simulators, and wind tunnel solutions. He has also pioneered the application of the Monte Carlo and Game Theory modelling techniques to Race Strategy for McLaren.

Neil’s insights on the application of data analytics in managing risk, optimising performance and decision-making are as applicable in the boardroom as on the track.

Known for his wide and varied experience in the world of racing, Eddie Jordan is a former racing driver, motorsport team boss, and BBC F1 lead analyst who now presents on Top Gear.

As founder and owner of Jordan Grand Prix, Eddie led the Formula 1 constructor in becoming one of only 5 teams in the past 25 years to have won multiple Grands, and the only team to break the monopoly on F1 success held by Ferrari, Williams and McLaren. As a racing driver, Eddie won the Irish Formula Atlantic Championship, raced in the British Formula Three and Formula Two, and was a test driver for McLaren.

Jordan received an honorary OBE in 2012 and has also been awarded two prestigious awards in Ireland: the James Joyce Award from the Literary and Historical Society of the University College Dublin, and the Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage of the University Philosophical Society of Trinity College Dublin, to honour his contribution to motorsports.

Karun is an expert analyst for Sky Sports F1, broadcasting to 62 countries. One of the most popular reporters on racing, he has also broadcasted for Star Sports in Asia, BeIN Sports in Qatar, BBC 5 Live Radio and Channel 4 TV.

His deep insights and superb delivery are informed by his former career as a racer. Karun was a test driver for the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team in 2007/8, and then competed in the Formula 1 World Championship for Hispania Racing Team and Team Lotus in 2010 and 2011.

Karun has worked tirelessly to champion diversity within motorsport. He is a member of the Motorsport UK’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and sits on its Racial Diversity Sub-Committee. In 2013, he became a member of the first ever FIA Driver’s Commission where he represents the rights and views of drivers across the world.

Claire Williams OBE is the former Deputy Team Principal of the Williams Formula 1 racing team. She sits amongst the most prominent and successful women in recent Formula 1 history, having taken the team to successive third places in the Constructors’ Championships, during her second and third years in charge.

During her tenure, Claire was a keen advocate for greater diversity and inclusion within her own team and across the sport as a whole. She acted as the catalyst to give Susie Wolff the chance to become the first female racing driver to participate in a Formula 1 race weekend since 1992, and she subsequently became an Ambassador for Susie’s Dare to be Different initiative.

As Vice President of the Spinal Injuries Association, Claire sought to admit individuals with spinal cord injuries into the team and established workplace opportunities for wheelchair users.

Following the sale of the Williams F1 team in 2020 Claire provides consultancy services to brands entering Formula 1.

Jacques Villeneuve is one of the most widely recognised stars in Formula 1, the winner of the 1997 World Champion, and the founder of the team which is today the all-conquering Mercedes Benz F1 team.

His first year in Formula 1, 1996, saw him finish second in the World Championship, an astonishing achievement in his debut season. Villeneuve would continue to exceed expectations, winning the North American Indycar Series and the Indy 500 before transferring to Formula 1 and winning the ultimate prize. He is one of three drivers in history to achieve this ‘triple’, alongside former World Champions; Mario Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi.

As the son of Canadian Formula 1 star, Gilles Villeneuve, who tragically lost his life at the wheel of his Ferrari during the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix, Jacques’ story grapples with overcoming tragedy while forging the path to success.

Lee McKenzie is a highly respected broadcast journalist and presenter who has covered some of the biggest news and sports events. She is best known for her work in motorsports, presenting and interviewing Formula 1 drivers for Channel 4 as well as the BBC.

Lee was the first woman to fill the main role in F1 on British TV. She now presents live coverage on Channel 4 and around the world of W Series, a global motorsport series for female racing drivers.

As well as her work on racing, Lee presents International rugby and the European Champions Cup for Channel 4, and both the Men’s and Women’s 6 Nations for the BBC. She also covers the Olympics, Wimbledon, Equestrian and the Boat Race for BBC, furthermore the Paralympics and the Women’s European Football Championships for Channel 4.