Red Flags & Red Lights: What Formula 1 Taught Me About Life in the Fast Lane

I couldn’t help but wonder…
Was I addicted to Formula 1… or just obsessed with beautiful chaos dressed in fireproof suits?

There’s something about F1 that feels oddly poetic. The speed, the tension, the pit stops that last 2.1 seconds — it’s a ballet of precision, ego, and adrenaline. And as someone who romanticises just about everything (including my morning coffee), Formula 1 gave me a new obsession: the art of high-speed control in a world that often spins out.

It’s funny — you start watching for the drama, the rivalries, the pretty boys with jawlines as sharp as their cornering. But then you stay for the metaphors.

Because life, like F1, is a series of split-second decisions. You brake too late, you spin out. You play it too safe, and someone overtakes you. And sometimes, you do everything right... and still don’t finish the race.

Your twenties are basically the Formula 1 of emotional growth: fast, dangerous, and everyone’s pretending they know what they’re doing. But like a good driver, you learn to adapt. You learn to tune out the noise, trust your gut, and make peace with the fact that not every race will be yours.

And let’s talk about the pit stops. The moments we think of as setbacks — heartbreak, burnout, confusion — maybe they’re just opportunities to reset, refuel, and come back stronger. Even the best drivers have to pause to keep going.

And sure, there are red flags (on and off the track). But that doesn’t mean the race is over. It just means something needs attention.
Something you shouldn't ignore — whether it's your car… or your heart.

So here’s to life in the fast lane. To falling in love with the thrill, the risk, and the roar of it all. To knowing when to push — and when to pause. Because whether it’s on a track in Monaco or a Tuesday in your twenties, the key isn’t just speed.

It’s staying in control — while still letting yourself feel the ride.