VDR Official X
February 9, 2026
High Performance • Formula One driver Carlos Sainz has always made bold choices, but none bolder than betting on Williams. In this episode, the F1 star opens up about turning down easier options to join a long-term project led by James Vowles, and why trust, people, and honesty mattered more than numbers or hype. He also addresses the Red Bull rumours head-on, sharing his real thoughts on Max Verstappen, why he never made that call, and the reality of playing second fiddle in a team built around one superstar. It’s not bitterness, it’s clarity. Beyond the politics and paddock talk, Carlos gets real about the personal price of chasing a championship: the constant obsession, the missed moments, and the challenge of being present when your mind is always in the car. This episode is an honest look at what it truly takes to fight for the top, and what gets left behind along the way. 🚨 Partners Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights20 Tide 👉 Free £50? Just spend £100 on your Tide card to get it. Use HP50 here: https://highpfrmc.com/tide50 HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events Explore offers and discounts through our other partners: https://hppod.co/partners 📕Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:36 – Coping after a turbulent 18 months 03:03 – The truth about Ferrari’s rejection 05:56 – Being replaced by Lewis Hamilton 09:07 – Health issues: appendicitis 10:59 – Uncertainty & fighting for my future 15:29 – BTS: negotiating with other F1 teams 17:38 – Why I chose Williams 26:24 – The politics in F1: I hate it 35:27 – James Vowles told us: “Break everything” 41:51 – My OBSESSION with F1 setups 43:40 – Quickfire Questions 57:16 – Rivalries, real friendships & trust 1:05:04 – Carlos' Final Message #HighPerformance #f1 #ferrari
Content Summary
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Summary
1. Turning Setbacks into Intellectual Leverage
2. Fostering Innovation via Psychological Safety
3. Quantifying Value Through Data-Driven Mapping
Knowledge Snap
Idea 1: Building Resilience through Professional Setbacks
🎬 Related Clip
(3)
Video Title
00:32 - 03:03
Carlos Sainz talks about the need to be ready to adapt when facing a professional storm.
06:00 - 08:04
Carlos Sainz discusses the week it took to assimilate the news of leaving Ferrari and moving forward.
13:41 - 17:38
Carlos Sainz emphasizes the importance of staying positive to avoid becoming a negative influence on the team.
Idea 2: The Pedagogy of Observational Learning
🎬 Related Clip
(3)
Video Title
09:53 - 15:29
Carlos Sainz describes sitting with engineers to help a rookie driver while he was unable to drive.
10:32 - 15:29
Carlos Sainz reflects on learning what information he would need from the car if he were the driver.
10:56 - 15:29
Carlos Sainz explains how this experience was an interesting way to show his value beyond driving speed.
Idea 3: Engineering Culture through Psychological Safety
🎬 Related Clip
(3)
Video Title
22:55 - 24:55
Carlos Sainz talks about how employees value not being punished for making mistakes in their work.
37:18 - 39:20
Carlos Sainz explains James Vowles' philosophy of wanting the team to break things to find improvements.
38:01 - 40:05
Carlos Sainz attributes the team's rapid progress to their willingness to rebuild systems from scratch.
Idea 4: Data-Driven Career Pathways
🎬 Related Clip
(3)
Video Title
17:44 - 19:51
Carlos Sainz questions what James Vowles saw in his performance data that others might have missed.
00:43 - 03:03
Carlos Sainz mentions a specific statistic regarding how much a team improves when he joins them.
35:27 - 41:51
Carlos Sainz confirms that James Vowles still values that specific statistical impact today.
Idea 5: Strategic Collaboration Over Individual Ego
🎬 Related Clip
(3)
Video Title
46:43 - 48:46
Carlos Sainz notes that he and Alex Albon avoid the friction common between many teammates.
47:45 - 49:49
Carlos Sainz discusses sharing conclusions with his teammate to help the team improve faster.
48:34 - 50:35
Carlos Sainz describes his relationship with Albon as the shortest way to achieve success.
Idea 6: The Mechanics of Professional Presence
🎬 Related Clip
(3)
Video Title
00:13 - 03:03
History with Max and him not wanting you in the team. We had a rivalry on our first.
55:28 - 01:03:28
Carlos Sainz describes how his brain immediately returns to racing even when he tries to disconnect.
56:35 - 01:04:35
Carlos Sainz talks about practicing being more present during his limited time off.
Navigating Career Transitions and High-Performance Resilience
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🤝
Early Strategic Outreach
00:00 - 03:03
James Vowles initiate contact with Carlos Sainz early to discuss a long-term project at Williams.
📞
The Ferrari Departure News
05:28 - 09:07
A sudden phone call changes the career trajectory for Carlos Sainz as he learns about Ferrari's decision.
👔
Maintaining Professional Integrity
12:39 - 14:41
Carlos Sainz commits to staying professional and supporting the wider team despite being replaced.
🏥
Unexpected Health Challenges
03:28 - 05:28
An appendix surgery presents a major setback during a critical time for proving driver value.
🏆
Triumphant Post-Surgery Comeback
15:17 - 17:38
Returning to win races after a health crisis marks a significant emotional high for Carlos Sainz.
🏎️
Finding a New Strategic Home
23:15 - 25:17
Carlos Sainz focuses on finding a team that offers full empowerment and a clear future path.
🛠️
Constructive Team Culture
36:24 - 38:26
James Vowles encourages a culture where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities rather than failures.
🧘
Balancing Ambition and Reality
54:39 - 56:44
The ongoing obsession with success requires a conscious effort to balance Formula 1 with personal life.
Learning Pathway for Navigating High-Stakes Career Transitions
| Stage | Videos |
|---|---|
1. Embracing Immediate Action During Setbacks | arlos Sainz has always made bold choices, but none bolder than betting on Williams. In this episode, the F1 star opens up about turning down easier options to join a long-term project led by James Vowles, and why trust, people, and honesty mattered more than numbers or hype. He also addresses the Red Bull rumours head-on, sharing his real thoughts on Max Verstappen, why he never made that call, and the reality of playing second fiddle in a team built around one superstar. It’s not bitterness, it’s clarity. Beyond the politics and paddock talk, Carlos gets real about the personal price of chasing a championship: the constant obsession, the missed moments, and the challenge of being present when your mind is always in the car. This episode is an honest look at what it truly takes to fight for the top, and what gets left behind along the way. 🚨 Partners Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights20 Tide 👉 Free £50? Just spend £100 on your Tide card to get it. Use HP50 here: https://highpfrmc.com/tide50 HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events Explore offers and discounts through our other partners: https://hppod.co/partners 📕Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:36 – Coping after a turbulent 18 months 03:03 – The truth about Ferrari’s rejection 05:56 – Being replaced by Lewis Hamilton 09:07 – Health issues: appendicitis 10:59 – Uncertainty & fighting for my future 15:29 – BTS: negotiating with other F1 teams 17:38 – Why I chose Williams 26:24 – The politics in F1: I hate it 35:27 – James Vowles told us: “Break everything” 41:51 – My OBSESSION with F1 setups 43:40 – Quickfire Questions 57:16 – Rivalries, real friendships & trust 1:05:04 – Carlos' Final Message #HighPerformance #f1 #ferrari |
2. Evaluating Leadership and Organizational Support | arlos Sainz has always made bold choices, but none bolder than betting on Williams. In this episode, the F1 star opens up about turning down easier options to join a long-term project led by James Vowles, and why trust, people, and honesty mattered more than numbers or hype. He also addresses the Red Bull rumours head-on, sharing his real thoughts on Max Verstappen, why he never made that call, and the reality of playing second fiddle in a team built around one superstar. It’s not bitterness, it’s clarity. Beyond the politics and paddock talk, Carlos gets real about the personal price of chasing a championship: the constant obsession, the missed moments, and the challenge of being present when your mind is always in the car. This episode is an honest look at what it truly takes to fight for the top, and what gets left behind along the way. 🚨 Partners Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights20 Tide 👉 Free £50? Just spend £100 on your Tide card to get it. Use HP50 here: https://highpfrmc.com/tide50 HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events Explore offers and discounts through our other partners: https://hppod.co/partners 📕Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:36 – Coping after a turbulent 18 months 03:03 – The truth about Ferrari’s rejection 05:56 – Being replaced by Lewis Hamilton 09:07 – Health issues: appendicitis 10:59 – Uncertainty & fighting for my future 15:29 – BTS: negotiating with other F1 teams 17:38 – Why I chose Williams 26:24 – The politics in F1: I hate it 35:27 – James Vowles told us: “Break everything” 41:51 – My OBSESSION with F1 setups 43:40 – Quickfire Questions 57:16 – Rivalries, real friendships & trust 1:05:04 – Carlos' Final Message #HighPerformance #f1 #ferrari |
3. Using Analytical Insight for Career Choice | arlos Sainz has always made bold choices, but none bolder than betting on Williams. In this episode, the F1 star opens up about turning down easier options to join a long-term project led by James Vowles, and why trust, people, and honesty mattered more than numbers or hype. He also addresses the Red Bull rumours head-on, sharing his real thoughts on Max Verstappen, why he never made that call, and the reality of playing second fiddle in a team built around one superstar. It’s not bitterness, it’s clarity. Beyond the politics and paddock talk, Carlos gets real about the personal price of chasing a championship: the constant obsession, the missed moments, and the challenge of being present when your mind is always in the car. This episode is an honest look at what it truly takes to fight for the top, and what gets left behind along the way. 🚨 Partners Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights20 Tide 👉 Free £50? Just spend £100 on your Tide card to get it. Use HP50 here: https://highpfrmc.com/tide50 HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events Explore offers and discounts through our other partners: https://hppod.co/partners 📕Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:36 – Coping after a turbulent 18 months 03:03 – The truth about Ferrari’s rejection 05:56 – Being replaced by Lewis Hamilton 09:07 – Health issues: appendicitis 10:59 – Uncertainty & fighting for my future 15:29 – BTS: negotiating with other F1 teams 17:38 – Why I chose Williams 26:24 – The politics in F1: I hate it 35:27 – James Vowles told us: “Break everything” 41:51 – My OBSESSION with F1 setups 43:40 – Quickfire Questions 57:16 – Rivalries, real friendships & trust 1:05:04 – Carlos' Final Message #HighPerformance #f1 #ferrari |
4. Cultivating a Culture of Psychological Safety | arlos Sainz has always made bold choices, but none bolder than betting on Williams. In this episode, the F1 star opens up about turning down easier options to join a long-term project led by James Vowles, and why trust, people, and honesty mattered more than numbers or hype. He also addresses the Red Bull rumours head-on, sharing his real thoughts on Max Verstappen, why he never made that call, and the reality of playing second fiddle in a team built around one superstar. It’s not bitterness, it’s clarity. Beyond the politics and paddock talk, Carlos gets real about the personal price of chasing a championship: the constant obsession, the missed moments, and the challenge of being present when your mind is always in the car. This episode is an honest look at what it truly takes to fight for the top, and what gets left behind along the way. 🚨 Partners Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights20 Tide 👉 Free £50? Just spend £100 on your Tide card to get it. Use HP50 here: https://highpfrmc.com/tide50 HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events Explore offers and discounts through our other partners: https://hppod.co/partners 📕Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:36 – Coping after a turbulent 18 months 03:03 – The truth about Ferrari’s rejection 05:56 – Being replaced by Lewis Hamilton 09:07 – Health issues: appendicitis 10:59 – Uncertainty & fighting for my future 15:29 – BTS: negotiating with other F1 teams 17:38 – Why I chose Williams 26:24 – The politics in F1: I hate it 35:27 – James Vowles told us: “Break everything” 41:51 – My OBSESSION with F1 setups 43:40 – Quickfire Questions 57:16 – Rivalries, real friendships & trust 1:05:04 – Carlos' Final Message #HighPerformance #f1 #ferrari |
5. Building Synergy with Professional Peers | arlos Sainz has always made bold choices, but none bolder than betting on Williams. In this episode, the F1 star opens up about turning down easier options to join a long-term project led by James Vowles, and why trust, people, and honesty mattered more than numbers or hype. He also addresses the Red Bull rumours head-on, sharing his real thoughts on Max Verstappen, why he never made that call, and the reality of playing second fiddle in a team built around one superstar. It’s not bitterness, it’s clarity. Beyond the politics and paddock talk, Carlos gets real about the personal price of chasing a championship: the constant obsession, the missed moments, and the challenge of being present when your mind is always in the car. This episode is an honest look at what it truly takes to fight for the top, and what gets left behind along the way. 🚨 Partners Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights20 Tide 👉 Free £50? Just spend £100 on your Tide card to get it. Use HP50 here: https://highpfrmc.com/tide50 HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events Explore offers and discounts through our other partners: https://hppod.co/partners 📕Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:36 – Coping after a turbulent 18 months 03:03 – The truth about Ferrari’s rejection 05:56 – Being replaced by Lewis Hamilton 09:07 – Health issues: appendicitis 10:59 – Uncertainty & fighting for my future 15:29 – BTS: negotiating with other F1 teams 17:38 – Why I chose Williams 26:24 – The politics in F1: I hate it 35:27 – James Vowles told us: “Break everything” 41:51 – My OBSESSION with F1 setups 43:40 – Quickfire Questions 57:16 – Rivalries, real friendships & trust 1:05:04 – Carlos' Final Message #HighPerformance #f1 #ferrari |
6. Understanding the Weight of Professional Obsession | arlos Sainz has always made bold choices, but none bolder than betting on Williams. In this episode, the F1 star opens up about turning down easier options to join a long-term project led by James Vowles, and why trust, people, and honesty mattered more than numbers or hype. He also addresses the Red Bull rumours head-on, sharing his real thoughts on Max Verstappen, why he never made that call, and the reality of playing second fiddle in a team built around one superstar. It’s not bitterness, it’s clarity. Beyond the politics and paddock talk, Carlos gets real about the personal price of chasing a championship: the constant obsession, the missed moments, and the challenge of being present when your mind is always in the car. This episode is an honest look at what it truly takes to fight for the top, and what gets left behind along the way. 🚨 Partners Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights20 Tide 👉 Free £50? Just spend £100 on your Tide card to get it. Use HP50 here: https://highpfrmc.com/tide50 HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events Explore offers and discounts through our other partners: https://hppod.co/partners 📕Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:36 – Coping after a turbulent 18 months 03:03 – The truth about Ferrari’s rejection 05:56 – Being replaced by Lewis Hamilton 09:07 – Health issues: appendicitis 10:59 – Uncertainty & fighting for my future 15:29 – BTS: negotiating with other F1 teams 17:38 – Why I chose Williams 26:24 – The politics in F1: I hate it 35:27 – James Vowles told us: “Break everything” 41:51 – My OBSESSION with F1 setups 43:40 – Quickfire Questions 57:16 – Rivalries, real friendships & trust 1:05:04 – Carlos' Final Message #HighPerformance #f1 #ferrari |
Detailed Findings and Insights
1. Decision Checkpoints
🎬 Related Clip
(2)
Video Title
03:16 - 05:20
Carlos Sainz reflects on the difficulty of making a proactive decision for his future.
03:34 - 05:35
Carlos Sainz defines a checkpoint as a moment when one needs to take a decision.
2. Proactive Recruitment
🎬 Related Clip
(2)
Video Title
00:00 - 03:03
Carlos Sainz shares that James Vowles approached him early to discuss a future role at Williams.
29:53 - 31:53
Carlos Sainz clarifies that this recruitment talk happened well before he was released by Ferrari.
3. Emotional Regulation
🎬 Related Clip
(2)
Video Title
11:51 - 13:54
Carlos Sainz uses the metaphor of an angel and a demon to describe his internal state.
12:16 - 14:20
Carlos Sainz explains his choice to leave the team on good terms despite his disappointment.
4. Competitiveness After Trauma
🎬 Related Clip
(2)
Video Title
16:00 - 24:00
Carlos Sainz admits to having doubts about his competitive level after undergoing appendix surgery.
16:13 - 24:13
Carlos Sainz notes that life continues to amaze him with its challenges and recoveries.
5. Developmental Toxicity
🎬 Related Clip
(2)
Video Title
00:43 - 03:03
Carlos, welcome to High Performance. Thank you very much. How are you? I'm very well, thank you. Um,.
00:43 - 03:03
Carlos, welcome to High Performance. Thank you very much. How are you? I'm very well, thank you. Um,.
6. The Skill of Presence
🎬 Related Clip
(2)
Video Title
56:09 - 01:04:09
Carlos Sainz admits that he is often not fully present even during perceived quality time.
56:22 - 01:04:22
Carlos Sainz discusses being too focused on previous race data while spending time with others.
