Xevi Pujolar

Xevi Pujolar – Leadership Lessons from the Formula 1 Pit Wall

In Formula 1, success depends on far more than speed. Behind every race result is a team of engineers, strategists and specialists working together, making critical decisions in seconds and executing with extraordinary precision. Few people understand this environment better than Xevi Pujolar.

With a career spanning more than 20 years and over 500 Grands Prix, Xevi Pujolar has built an impressive reputation as an experienced engineering leader and race-day decision-maker. From working with future world champions to leading trackside operations, he has experienced firsthand what separates good teams from exceptional ones.

As a keynote speaker, Xevi takes audiences inside the demanding world of Formula 1, sharing practical lessons on high-performance leadership, operational excellence and decision-making under pressure. His experiences offer valuable perspectives for businesses and organisations looking to strengthen collaboration, improve execution and perform consistently in challenging environments.

From Fernando Alonso to Formula 1 Racing Director

Xevi Pujolar's motorsport journey began after graduating in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Girona. His early career took him into karting, where he worked with a young Fernando Alonso before making the move into Formula 1.

In 2002, Xevi was selected by legendary Formula 1 figure and team boss Niki Lauda to join Jaguar Racing. It marked the beginning of a remarkable career at the highest level of international motorsport.

He subsequently spent a decade at Williams, progressing from Race Engineer to Chief Race Engineer. During this period, he became a key figure in the team's race-day operations, contributing to its memorable victory at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix.

Xevi then spent three years at Toro Rosso, where he worked with Max Verstappen during the Dutch driver's debut Formula 1 season. In 2016, he joined Sauber as Head of Trackside Engineering, taking on responsibility for the team's engineering performance at the circuit.

His leadership and extensive experience saw him promoted to Racing Director in 2023. In this position, Xevi helped develop the engineering and operational standards that strengthened Sauber's competitiveness as a midfield contender while laying important foundations for the team's transition to Audi's Formula 1 entry in 2026.

Throughout his career, Xevi has worked with an exceptional group of drivers, including Kimi Räikkönen, Charles Leclerc, Mark Webber, Valtteri Bottas, Ralf Schumacher and Max Verstappen. These experiences have given him a deep understanding of how different personalities, technical specialists and leaders must work together to achieve a common goal.

Building High-Performance Teams

What makes a Formula 1 team perform consistently in one of the world's most competitive environments?

For Xevi Pujolar, the answer lies in the combination of strong leadership, clear structures, effective processes and complete team alignment.

Having led engineering and trackside operations at the highest level, Xevi understands that individual talent alone is never enough. Consistent performance requires people to understand their responsibilities, communicate effectively and trust the decisions being made around them.

In his keynotes, Xevi explores how leaders can create the conditions for their teams to succeed. Drawing on real experiences from Formula 1, he explains the importance of building reliable systems, developing accountability and establishing a culture where preparation and collaboration support performance.

His insights are particularly relevant to organisations navigating complex operations, demanding expectations and constant pressure to improve.

Making the Right Decisions Under Pressure

During a Formula 1 race, decisions must often be made in seconds. Conditions change, unexpected challenges arise and the consequences of a mistake can be immediate.

Xevi Pujolar has spent his career operating in precisely this environment.

As a Race Engineer, Chief Race Engineer and Racing Director, he has been responsible for turning complex information into clear decisions while keeping teams focused on execution. His experience demonstrates why preparation, communication and sound judgement are essential when there is little time to hesitate.

Xevi shares how high-performing teams approach uncertainty, balance technical insight with practical action and maintain clarity when pressure increases.

For business leaders and professionals, these lessons provide a compelling perspective on managing risk, making informed decisions and remaining effective in situations where timing and precision are critical.

Operational Excellence – Turning Strategy into Results

Even the strongest strategy means little without effective execution. In Formula 1, months of preparation can come down to a handful of decisive moments on race day.

Throughout his career, Xevi has specialised in connecting engineering knowledge, preparation and team coordination with performance on the track.

His experience at Williams, Toro Rosso and Sauber has shown him how operational excellence depends on every part of an organisation working towards the same objective. From communication between engineers to the coordination of trackside operations, small details can make a significant difference.

Xevi brings these lessons into a business context, exploring how organisations can close the gap between planning and delivery, improve their processes and create teams that execute with confidence.

His approach is grounded in practical experience from an environment where results are measurable, expectations are high and continuous improvement is part of everyday work.

Book Xevi Pujolar for Your Next Event

Booking Xevi Pujolar gives your audience an opportunity to discover what leadership and teamwork look like behind the scenes of Formula 1.

Drawing on more than 500 Grands Prix and senior leadership positions across several F1 teams, Xevi delivers valuable insights into three essential areas:

• High-Performance Leadership: Discover how effective leadership, clear responsibilities and strong processes help teams achieve consistent results in demanding environments.

• Decision-Making Under Pressure: Learn how Formula 1 teams combine preparation, information and judgement to make fast, confident decisions when the stakes are high.

• Race-Day Execution & Operational Excellence: Understand how alignment, communication and attention to detail transform strategies into results when there is no room for hesitation.

Whether speaking to executives, leadership teams or professionals responsible for complex operations, Xevi offers an engaging look at the principles behind elite performance.

His career provides a fascinating connection between the intensity of Formula 1 and the challenges facing modern organisations. With stories from the pit wall and insights gained from working with some of motorsport's most recognised drivers, he makes the lessons of high-performance teamwork both accessible and relevant.

Book Xevi Pujolar for your next conference, corporate event or leadership gathering and give your audience a fresh perspective on how to lead effectively, make better decisions and deliver outstanding results under pressure.