Business of Speed Podcast

Mike Buckley is the newly appointed Team Principal of the US SailGP team—and a former world champion sailor. In this episode, he breaks down what separates winners from everyone else, why preparation beats talent, and how he's building the US SailGP team into the world's next iconic sports brand.

We dig into:

• Growing up with a single mom on Cape Cod and finding salvation in sailing at Tabor Academy
• The anatomy of a winnin...

Will Buxton spent 25 years in the Formula One paddock. Now he's at Fox Sports calling IndyCar — and he's here to tell you why.

In this episode, Will explains the business logic behind his move, why Fox's boss personally pushed for IndyCar coverage, and how the series averaged the same US viewership as F1 last season. 

He breaks down why IndyCar is the purest form of racing, what Bernie Ecclestone got wrong about young fans, ...

Mario Andretti shares his remarkable journey from an immigrant to one of the greatest race car drivers of all time. He reflects on his early days in racing, the challenges he faced, and the importance of family and teamwork in achieving success. The discussion also delves into the evolution of racing technology, the significance of sound in motorsports, and Andretti's thoughts on the future of racing, particularly with the...

In this episode of the Business of Speed podcast, John Doonan discusses the excitement surrounding the Rolex 24, his leadership style, the importance of youth engagement in motorsports, and the growth strategies of IMSA. He reflects on the passion for racing and the community it fosters, emphasizing the need for innovation and stability in the sport.

Takeaways

• John Doonan emphasizes the importance of being present an...

In this episode of Business of Speed, we sit down with IndyCar veteran and fan favorite Conor Daly to deconstruct the reality behind the visor. This isn't just about lap times; it's about the hustle required to raise $10 million just to reach the starting grid.

From cold-calling sponsors for $500 checks to navigating the ruthless politics of the European open-wheel ladder, Conor reveals what it actually takes to build a car...

Mark Blundell has done it all: Formula One, IndyCar, Le Mans, and TV commentary. But the most interesting chapter of his career might be the one he's writing right now.

We take a trip through Mark's incredible timeline, from his humble beginnings sleeping on a chest of drawers to testing for Williams and racing alongside legends like Ayrton Senna. Mark opens up about the financial instability of 90s F1, the adrenaline of hi...

In this episode of the Business of Speed, Lali and Vincenzo sit down with Jeff Dodds, the CEO of Formula E, as he approaches his third year leading the electric racing series. Transitioning from a massive career in telecom and media (Virgin Media O2) and automotive (Honda, Volvo), Jeff discusses how Formula E is positioning itself not just as a sport, but as a disruptive entertainment property focused on sustainability and...

In this episode of the Business of Speed podcast, we sit down with IndyCar legend, Indy 500 winner, and current Arrow McLaren Sporting Director,  ⁨@TonyKanaan⁩ .

From his early days growing up in Brazil to his legendary rivalry and friendship with  ⁨@H3lioOfficial⁩ , TK opens up about the defining moments of his life. He shares the incredible story of turning down a guaranteed million-dollar contract with Audi to chase the ...

Vincenzo and Lali sit down for a casual, honest warm-up chat before F1 takes over Las Vegas. They also run through the fan experience around the Strip: free events, activations, watch parties, and Lali’s upcoming interview with Romain Grosjean. It’s not a complete guide to Vegas, just an honest conversation about what they’re looking forward to, what first-timers should keep in mind, and why Vegas week hits differently.

Jarno Zaffelli sculpts racetracks.

The founder of Dromo Circuit Design, the man behind Zandvoort’s revival and Silverstone’s refinements, now turns his eye to Madrid.

In this episode of Business of Speed, Vincenzo Landino and co-host Lali Michelsen sit down with the Italian designer redefining what “track design” means in Formula 1.

Zaffelli explains why Madring, the new F1 circuit in Madrid is a living organism: flowing, br...

James Hinchcliffe gets brutally honest about the psychology that separates race car drivers from normal humans—and why they lack the self-preservation gene most people are born with.

In this episode, Hinch reveals:

• Why drivers return to racing after near-death experiences (his own horrific accident included)
• The real reason racing legends like Zanardi and Wickens fought back into the cockpit after catastrophic injuries
• Wha...

Former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley—better known as "F1 Elvis"—joins us to talk about his brand new book Pit Lane Lessons: What F1 Can Teach You About Work and Life.

In this episode, Marc reveals the surprising origin story behind his legendary nickname, takes us inside McLaren's obsessive culture of excellence during the championship-winning years, and explains how those pit-lane principles translate into business succe...

He built endurance athletes, powered triathlon empires, and helped brands like Pepsi and Samsung enter the world of speed.
 Now Lee Zohlman—the man behind Formula E’s Americas partnerships—joins Vincenzo Landino and Lali Michelsen to talk about:

• How saying no to the wrong deal doubled his career trajectory
• Why partnerships, not sponsorships, define the next era of motorsport business
• Formula E’s billion-impression grow...

What happens when someone decides to take on a system they know is rigged?

In this episode of The Business of Speed, we sit down with Laura Villars — a professional driver who made headlines for trying to run for FIA President... even though she knew her name could never appear on the ballot.

Laura opens up about what she discovered behind the scenes of motorsport’s most powerful organization, how the rules are designed to k...

A single race hosting fee can hit $70 MILLION—and that's before they even sell a single ticket. The real challenge for any track promoter? It’s absorbing the massive fixed liability and turning a one-time race into a year-round, profitable business.

The truth is, the profit isn't in the Grandstands, it's with the executives in the Suites. Premium hospitality is the only sustainable margin driver.

We're putting the circuit bu...

This episode is where Lali and Vincenzo lay out their manifesto, explaining what they believe is changing and what is happening in the world of racing. They discuss what their new venture, Business of Speed, is offering to inquiring minds.

A key part of their manifesto is making B2B cool, which they argue is a large part of motorsport sponsorship (such as with Oracle, AWS, and Arrow Electronics). They reject the "old model"...

Vincenzo Landino, founder of the six-year-old Business of Speed newsletter, and legendary Creative Director Lali Michelsen, define the DNA of your new essential motorsport briefing.

Discover how a LinkedIn video of a champagne saber led to the formation of a strategic content consultancy and media empire built on one core premise: Speed is the only sustainable competitive advantage.

We unpack:

• The Unlikely Kinship...