Linux News: Commentary: Formula One Racing and High-Tech Companies

Posted in July 25th, 2004

Some interesting analogies were presented. Having spent a couple years working on a project with Minardi F1 I can really see the analogy. Although Minardi had very stiff competition, the team work really showed through. There was a great number of things I learned during that time.

Know your competition. Minardi had the best chef on the circuit in 93. Pasta was flown in from Italy every time they traveled. It made a difference. At lunch, many times guys who were intensely competitive on the circuit, would sit down and eat together.

Work at a consistant pace. There is much to be said about the detriment of the rust belt 9-5 mentality to the high tech profession. In F1, you don’t end the day just because the clock hands change. You do what you need to. But, you also work at a consistant quality pace. The hurry up and wait scenario was seldom observed. I saw little rushing around… but I did see a consistant sense of urgency and diligence.

Take time to recharge: Again, the 9-5 mentality is bad news here. When I first arrived in Italy, the concept of a 2 hour lunch and dinner was extremely strange. However, the benefit is you can effectively accomplish 2.5 days of work, in what we do in the US in 1. The saw must be kept sharp… and the 2 hour breaks make a difference. Even on the circuit, the lunch breaks while not 2 hours, were enough to recharge.

Call in the gurus, do not be afraid to ask for help: F1 was great for calling in the experts. A couple days insite could save days of hair pulling.

Listen to everyone: Something that all of us need help with. Despite more of a heirarchical organization, one could tell there was an underlying respect for everyones opinion. There was much more listening going on than talking when it came to the tech world.