Inside Formula 1: the company visit at VISA Cash App RB

7 April 2026

Stepping into the operational core of a Formula 1 team means observing an organization where speed, precision, and innovation are everyday working conditions.

The company visit at VISA Cash App RB offered participants of the Global MBA a direct experience of how different business functions collaborate to achieve outstanding performance.

Guided by Simone Perego, students explored the headquarters and the main operational departments, including areas dedicated to competition-related activities. A highly specialized environment, where every detail contributes to the development of two single-seaters—the final outcome of a complex and perfectly orchestrated system.

As Luis Bocanegra, Global MBA student, explains:
“For me, it was impressive to realize how an entire company has to move perfectly to develop just two cars. The level of pressure we see during a race is their daily reality, with time constraints and a constant need to innovate.”

The program then delved into the organization’s key functional areas.

Fabian Wrabetz, Marketing & Communication Director, illustrated the positioning strategies and market dynamics that drive brand growth at a global level. In a sector where visibility and performance are closely intertwined, communication becomes a strategic lever to attract sponsors and strengthen the team’s value.

Next, Karla Stevens, PMO Team Leader, highlighted the central role of Operations and the Project Management Office: coordination, process optimization, and efficient resource management are crucial elements to ensure on-track competitiveness.

The topic of financial sustainability was addressed by Giuseppe Fontana, Controller, who presented the Cost Cap framework imposed by the FIA. A system that requires financial discipline and planning capabilities, balancing sporting ambition with budget constraints.

Along the same lines, Roberto Paduano, Forecasting Engineering Team Leader, explained how component cost forecasting supports effective resource allocation throughout the season.

Finally, Ilaria Samorini, HR, shared the approach to talent management: recruitment strategies, learning ecosystem, and skills development form the foundation of a high-performance workforce, capable of operating in a competitive and constantly evolving environment.

As Bocanegra further noted: “We watch races as spectators without thinking about what’s behind them. But this is a business: between sponsors and FIA limits, it becomes clear that the team must be sustainable and profitable to continue innovating.”

This experience reflects the approach of Bologna Business School, grounded in concrete experiences and direct interaction with industry champions. A model that integrates theory and practice, preparing professionals to understand and manage the complexity of contemporary business environments.