How F1™ Data Drives Manufacturing Success
What Formula 1™ Taught Me About Decision-Making in Manufacturing
On 26 September 2021, I was on the McLaren pit wall as race strategist for Lando Norris at the Russian Grand Prix. We’d just secured our first pole position in nine years, and now we were leading the race. Victory was in sight - until the rain came.
The Sochi circuit sits on the Black Sea coastline, where weather can change in minutes. When the rain hit, we faced a critical decision: pit for intermediate tyres or stay out on slicks. I ran the numbers. It was on the edge. A pit stop would cost track position, but staying out could be disastrous. I called for a pit stop. Lando said no. From his perspective, the track was still dry.
Then came the key insight - from our other driver, Daniel Ricciardo, further back on the wettest part of the track:
“There’s no way you can survive out here.”
That was the information we needed. But it got lost in the noise of countless other data points. By the time we processed it, Lando had missed the pit entry. Hamilton pitted, the rain intensified, and our lead disappeared.
So, what does this have to do with manufacturing? Everything. Whether you’re running a high-speed production line or managing a global supply chain, success depends on making the right decision at the right time. At Sochi, I learned the hard way: we don’t need more data - we need the right data. Systems must cut through complexity, strip away noise, and surface the insight that changes the outcome - fast.
That’s why PurpleSector exists: to help manufacturers make confident, data-driven decisions at pace. Our vision, acoustic, thermal, vibration, and VOC sensors capture the high-friction data most systems miss. Our analytics uncover the signals hidden in the noise, giving you the clarity to act decisively and deliver results.
Great decision-making isn’t about avoiding the rain - it’s about mastering the wet. It’s about adapting, refining, and improving under pressure. If you want the insights that lead to winning outcomes, let’s talk.
Chris Lark, Principal Engineer.
Get in touch
