Formula 1’s Organizational Structure
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Introduction
Formula 1 (F1) is an international motorsport racing series known for its high-speed races, cutting-edge engineering, and global fanbase. The championship was established in 1950 and is widely regarded as the pinnacle of motorsport competition.
Headquartered in London, Formula 1 is owned by Liberty Media Corporation and operates under the regulatory oversight of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The sport includes ten independent teams that compete across more than 20 Grand Prix races each season, held in locations around the world.
Formula 1 has evolved from a niche motorsport into a massive global enterprise. With a growing focus on media rights, digital engagement, and sustainability, the sport continues to expand its reach and modernize its operations to appeal to new generations of fans.
While most fans focus on the drivers and races, there’s a complex organizational structure behind the scenes that powers the entire operation, from race logistics and rule enforcement to team coordination and executive decision-making.
Formula 1’s Leadership Team
Formula 1’s executive leadership team is responsible for overseeing the commercial and operational aspects of the sport. The organization is run by Formula One Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media.
The team is led by CEO Stefano Domenicali, a former Ferrari team principal who took over in 2021. Domenicali is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of Formula 1, working to grow the sport’s global audience, build partnerships, and enhance the fan experience both on and off the track.
Formula 1 is made up of 10 world-class teams, each operating as its own high-performance organization. At the helm of each team is a Team Principal—the key decision-maker responsible for strategy, operations, and team leadership both on and off the track. Some of the most recognized figures in the sport include Toto Wolff (Mercedes-AMG Petronas), Christian Horner (Red Bull Racing), and Frédéric Vasseur (Scuderia Ferrari). These principals oversee everything from engineering innovation to driver management, playing a critical role in steering their teams toward championship success.
Supporting Domenicali are several other senior executives in roles covering media and broadcasting, race promotion, sponsorship and partnerships, marketing and digital strategy, and legal and regulatory affairs.
Formula 1 also works closely with the FIA, the sport’s governing body, to ensure rules are followed and events are held safely and fairly.
Like many large organizations, Formula 1 is also guided by a Board of Directors, appointed by Liberty Media. The board provides oversight and strategic direction, particularly in areas such as financial planning, governance, and international expansion. While the board does not manage daily operations, its decisions have long-term implications for the sport’s growth and positioning.
Formula 1’s Organizational Structure
Formula 1’s organizational structure is unique, combining elements of traditional hierarchy with the adaptability and speed required in elite motorsport. As a global sporting enterprise involving multiple stakeholders such as teams, regulators, broadcasters, and commercial partners, F1’s structure reflects both complexity and high performance.
At the top of the sport is Formula One Group, the commercial rights holder owned by Liberty Media, which oversees the global business side of F1—from media deals and sponsorships to race promotions. Alongside this, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) acts as the governing body, responsible for enforcing the sport’s rules and ensuring safety and fairness across all races. These two entities work in tandem to manage the sport’s integrity and commercial growth.
Each of the ten Formula 1 teams operates independently, structured similarly to large corporations. While they feature hierarchical elements, like a Team Principal who oversees operations, teams often adopt matrix-style models. This means cross-functional collaboration between departments like engineering, aerodynamics, R&D, logistics, and race strategy. These departments must coordinate closely to develop race cars, optimize performance, and adapt to constantly changing track conditions and regulations.
Many teams also feature functional structures, organizing roles around specialized areas such as finance, marketing, and technical innovation. This is essential for managing partnerships, building brand identity, and staying compliant with the sport’s strict cost cap regulations.
In practice, Formula 1’s organizational structure is a hybrid model, merging hierarchy, matrix, and functional frameworks to allow each team and the sport as a whole to operate efficiently. This approach provides the structure needed for consistent performance while supporting the agility required to innovate and compete at the highest level of motorsport.
Want to learn more about functional and other organizational structures and their role in the business world? Here are some helpful blog resources that you can get started with:
Create this chart in Organimi!
You can download the CSV file of Formula 1’s org structure, import it into Organimi and start editing this chart right away! Here’s how:
- From your dashboard, select Data Import.
- Click the CSV tile.
- Click +Upload Your File.
- Select an Excel file from your device.
- In the Organization field, click the down arrow to select an organization.
- Click Create a New Chart
- Click Next and select: Organization Chart
- Select the auto-build tool to automatically build your chart.
- Voila!
Download CSV file:
Formula 1 (5.29 KB)
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