Top 10 Formula One (F1) Speakers to Inspire Resilience at Events

To succeed in motorsport, drivers need nerves of steel, peak performance habits, and an unwavering dedication to their craft. These qualities translate directly into valuable lessons for everyday life and business. In fact, around 45% of our daily actions are driven by habit, so adopting the training routines and mindset of elite F1 drivers can spark powerful positive changes in audiences. Formula One speakers share how perseverance, teamwork and resilience under pressure have fueled their victories, weaving actionable takeaways into thrilling racing anecdotes. By demonstrating how to build winning habits and overcome challenges, an F1 speaker can motivate audiences to push beyond their limits and strive for peak performance in their own lives. With Formula One’s global TV audience reaching over 1.5 billion in 2023, your attendees are also bound to be starstruck by these motorsport icons!

Who Are the Best Formula One (F1) Speakers Trending in the UK?

Drawing on official event poll data from over 86 F1-themed events (between 2022 and February 2025), exclusive speaker evaluations and comprehensive audience polls, Mark Matthews has compiled an authoritative list of the top ten Formula One speakers to inspire resilience and high performance. Each of the standout names below offers a unique perspective from the pinnacle of racing success:

• Toto Wolff
• Eddie Irvine
• Damon Hill
• Neil Martin
• Johnny Herbert
• Jacques Villeneuve
• David Coulthard
• Billy Monger
• Ross Brawn
• Nigel Mansell

1. Toto Wolff

Toto Wolff is known for his success in creating a winning culture. As the CEO of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, Toto has led his teams to several consecutive Formula One Double World Championships and numerous other victories. As a speaker, Toto draws on his experience to share proven strategies for success with corporate audiences. He is known for his valuable insights on driving team results and a lifetime of anecdotes from his time in top-level motorsports. His influence on the motorsports industry has been recognised internationally, and he remains one of the most prominent figures.

Official Testimonial for Toto:

We welcomed Toto as the keynote speaker at our virtual global Managing Director strategy event. The brief was around building sustainable performance and the culture needed to support this. Toto took the time to meet with us well ahead of the event itself and we spent an hour discussing the background, our needs and the various relevant topic areas. - Moses, Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd

2. Eddie Irvine

Before he retired, Eddie Irvine was a spectacle on the track due to his fierce, combative driving style and technical expertise. After taking the sport by storm in 1993 as a driver for Jordan, Eddie moved to Ferrari in 1996 alongside Michael Schumacher. In 1995 Eddie earned his first podium with Jordan, which continued in 1999, 2000, 2001 and his final podium in 2002. Regularly appearing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Queens Formula Racing Team, Eddie captivates audiences with his invaluable advice and anecdotal tales of his time on the track during the golden era of Motorsports.

3. Damon Hill

Starting as a test driver for Formula 1 title-winning team Williams, Damon Hill was given the opportunity to race in the 1993 Hungarian Grand Prix, where he earned the first of 22 career victories. Damon grew up around Formula 1 and spent much of his early career surrounded by some of the most prominent figures in the sport, including his father, Graham Hill, Juan Manuel Fangio and Phil Hill. Before retiring in 1999, Damon competed in 122 races, earning him a spot among Formula 1’s greatest drivers. Aside from sitting in the driver’s seat, Damon frequently talks about his experience racing. Audiences will be blown away by his star-studded anecdotes and unbeatable insight into motorsports. 

Official Testimonial for Damon:

Thank you for arranging Damon Hill for our Australian GP media activity yesterday in Melbourne, he was fantastic to work with and an absolute professional. It was great to have him there. Thank you again! - Asha, Kayo Sports 

4. Neil Martin

Neil Martin isn’t a former driver, but in the world of Formula 1 he’s one of the most influential names behind the scenes. As a pioneer of race strategy and predictive analytics, Neil played a vital role in some of the most successful modern F1 teams, including McLaren, Red Bull Racing and Ferrari. Known for introducing game theory and Monte Carlo modelling to motorsport strategy, Neil helped guide Red Bull to their first-ever win in 2009 and has led strategic operations at the highest level. Today, more than half the F1 grid uses systems based on his original innovations.

As a speaker, Neil shares how data, decision-making under pressure and risk management can drive high performance - not just on the track, but in any business.

Official Testimonial for Neil:

Neil's input... was invaluable... Neil has a great ability to cut through background noise to understand what is really important and then ensure appropriate actions are identified. I hope we have an opportunity to work together again in the future. - Chris, NED

5. Johnny Herbert

Johnny Herbert, a renowned Motorsport speaker, frequently entertains audiences with his candid insight into one of the most physical and mental sports - Formula 1 racing. After beginning his career in the mid-1980s, Johnny quickly picked up his first victory in 1985 at the Formula Ford Festival.

After teaming up, they won the British Formula 3 title in 1987. Throughout his career, Johnny has proved that with enough determination, anyone can overcome injury and failure, resulting in him featuring on the podium seven times.

Official Testimonial for Johnny:

Just wanted to say that Johnny Herbert was brilliant today. He stayed to past 5pm, was so friendly and suffered questions I am sure he must have heard many times! Although we did struggle to get him out of the F1 simulators!! Thank you so much for sorting everything out for me. - Sally, Move with Us

6. Jacques Villeneuve

As the 1997 F1 champion, Jacques Villeneuve triumphed over Michael Schumacher, a dominant force with two championships. Jacques was born with a passion for racing in his blood, as the son of beloved Ferrari F1 driver Gilles Villeneuve, who, before his passing, was considered one of the best drivers the sport has ever seen.

Taking after his father, Jacques’ skill has transgressed from single-seat racing to race in the Le Mans Series, NASCAR, TRV6 and Speedcar. Jacques excites audiences with his anecdotal stories, holding them spellbound thanks to his charismatic nature.

Official Testimonial for Jacques:

We were inspired by Jacques and Mark and the required focus to compete at a high level and the amount of team work actually involved to succeed such as being innovative in changing tires to break through the 3 second pit stop level. Jacques and Mark were very engaging. They did a great job at mixing sports and business to keep it interesting and relevant. - Omers

7. David Coulthard

If there is anyone qualified to speak on Formula 1, it is David Coulthard. After succeeding the late Ayrton Senna at Williams Racing in 1994, gaining his first victory at the Portuguese Grand Prix, David moved to McLaren. Considering the competitiveness of Formula 1, David’s longevity is a testament to his skill, dedication and passion for the sport.

Before retiring in 2008, David aided Red Bull’s journey to becoming the dominant force it is today. With his extensive experience, David has become an elemental F1 commentator whilst regularly public speaking, sharing his story with audiences everywhere.

Official Testimonial for David:

An absolute pleasure to be around and very professional. David's delivery and speech was spot on and well received on the evening with lots of laughs in the right places. It was perfect for our guests. We've received great feedback and our CEO was really impressed. David stayed for over an hour for photos and was chatting to guests which is great, and always an added bonus. - The Institution of Engineering & Technology

8. Billy Monger

After a tragic racing accident where he lost both legs, Billy Monger returned to the sport thanks to an altered vehicle; his drive to succeed amongst able-bodied racers resulted in him becoming a household name within the sport, a story that he expands upon through public speaking.

In 2018, Billy was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year’s Helen Rollason Award for his inspirational perseverance despite hardship. Within the same year, Billy drove a Formula 1 racing car for the first time when he tested a Sauber C30 built by Tour-De-Force Power Engineering at the Rockingham Motor Speedway in Corby.

9. Ross Brawn

Ross Brawn is an F1 mogul famed for being the Team Principal for Ferrari during Michael Schumacher’s dominant years; as a result, Ross created a Ferrari dynasty. Ross’s influence on the sport transcended Ferrari when he bought out the failing F1 team Honda and rebranded it as Brawn GP.

With Jenson Button behind the wheel, Ross’s team won their first Formula 1 season championship in what is widely considered one of the greatest F1 stories ever. The draw of Ross as a public speaker is his ability to discuss the many different positions he has held in F1 and his knowledge of the sport as a whole.

10. Nigel Mansell

Nigel Mansell, a British racing legend, has raced with some of the best drivers the sport has ever seen. Nigel won his first Grand Prix in 1985 while racing with Williams before dominating the 1992 season by winning nine out of the sixteen races, becoming the world champion.

After returning to F1 for a final time in 1994, Nigel raced for Williams before announcing his retirement to pursue a Ferrari dealership. As a prolific motivational speaker, Nigel is a crowd favourite, advising his audience on maximising success on demand.

Hire an F1 Speaker Today!

To hire a leading motorsports speaker for your event, contact The Motivational Speakers Agency by completing our online contact form or contacting a booking agent on 0207 0787 876.

This exclusive article on the top F1 speakers to hire was written by Mark Matthews, using official event poll data from over 86 F1 themed events, between 2022 and February 2025, and research collected from Forbes.