Racing to Save Lives: Lessons from Formula One for Emergency Services

We often refer to Pit Crew CPR, where a pre-rehearsed, muscle-memorized team swings into swift action. Everyone in a place and a place for everyone. The analogy of the pit crew comes from motorsport, where a car entering pit lane needs to be re-tired or re-fueled and sent on its way in a matter of seconds to keep the driver and team in the race.

There are many other lessons that can be taken away from motorsports, not least the one that the person skillfully operating the vehicle has zero issue with being called a driver!

I write this article hot off the (w)heels of the Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix, which took place Nov. 21–23, 2024, where ten teams and twenty drivers, supported by hundreds of technicians, statisticians, and mechanics, raced for two hours and 50 laps to not only determine a winner but also a world champion. I will save my near fanatical level of F1 armchair quarterbacking on which driver and team is better for another article. Instead, I’ll focus on what I observed, learned, and realized in Las Vegas.

Did I watch the race on TV? No, I was 36 inches from the action, separated from cars speeding past at 200 mph by a concrete wall. For the last two seasons, I’ve taken on the role of an FIA-certified Formula One Race Marshal, rigged out in full PPE and standing by with a trackside team to leap the wall and rescue a driver, remove a car, or—as often happens—clear debris from a very fast, very expensive crash.

I firmly believe that every day is a school day, and as I stood just inches from the action at the Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix, it became clear that the parallels between F1 racing and emergency services run deeper than the high-speed environment. Both fields require precision, teamwork, and the ability to make critical decisions under immense pressure.

Precision Decision-Making

In addition to immediate rescue, marshals are equipped with colored flags to alert drivers and officials to course hazards. This could range from a crash stopping the race (red) to signaling traffic buildup (white). The decision to use these flags, even in a billion-dollar sport like F1, rests solely with the volunteer marshal observing the track.

Fractions of a second can determine success or failure, a podium place, or even the world championship. Early use of a warning flag can cause a driver to slow just enough to lose their edge. Marshals are trained to act decisively—not too early, not too late.

Emergency responders face similar pressures. Whether triaging patients at a mass casualty event or deciding when to escalate resources, informed and precise decisions are vital. Training, experience, and confidence ensure responders act with the speed and accuracy required in critical moments—just like their counterparts on the track.

Teamwork and Coordination

No Formula One driver wins alone. Each podium finish is a testament to the precision and coordination of engineers, strategists, and pit crews working toward a common goal. Emergency services teams operate the same way. From dispatchers who route the call to EMTs to paramedics in the field and hospital staff awaiting arrival, each player must execute their role seamlessly.

Defined roles, clear communication, and mutual trust keep the wheels turning. Just as an F1 pit crew’s precision can mean the difference between first and last place, a well-coordinated emergency response team can make the ultimate difference—saving lives.

Formula One teams practice pit stops thousands of times to shave mere tenths of a second off their times. The same relentless preparation applies in emergency services. Regular training and drills, whether a mass casualty simulation or a high-fidelity resuscitation scenario, build the muscle memory responders need when chaos strikes.

These sessions do more than practice skills; they reveal gaps, strengthen weaknesses, and ensure teams are always ready for the unexpected. In F1, drivers can only win when their teams are fully prepared. In EMS, that same preparation ensures responders arrive at the right place, at the right time, with the right skills to save a life.

But as in F1, technology must serve the team—not replace it. It’s the paramedic reading the monitor or the dispatcher analyzing mapping data who makes the critical decisions. The lesson is clear: technology amplifies human capability, but skilled people ultimately cross the finish line.

Safety and Risk Management

Safety in Formula One is non-negotiable. From track design to driver helmets, every detail is scrutinized to protect lives without slowing down the race. Emergency services face the same balancing act: responding urgently while safeguarding both teams and the public.

Situational awareness, clear protocols, and ongoing risk assessments are critical. Whether navigating dangerous road conditions or entering an unstable scene, responders must adopt an F1-level focus on minimizing risks while maintaining operational efficiency.

Adopt the Formula One Mindset

Emergency services and Formula One may seem worlds apart, but they share a foundational truth: Success hinges on precision, preparation, and teamwork. From the racetrack to the streets, the lessons learned in F1—decisive action, relentless training, technology integration, and an unwavering commitment to safety—offer a blueprint for how emergency responders can enhance their performance and save lives.

As emergency services professionals, we can adopt this mindset and apply it to daily operations. Just as F1 teams analyze every race to improve, we must view each incident as an opportunity to refine processes and elevate our game. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, embracing innovative tools, and reinforcing the value of teamwork, we can ensure our teams are always ready for the next call.