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Matt Bishop is Formula 1 communications expert, journalist, editor, biographer and novelist whose long career encompasses spells in senior positions on many well known publications such as Car, Autosport and F1 Racing.
A former journalist, his unique skills helped to transform McLaren’s public and media profile including during some of the team’s most turbulent times.
He played a key role in helping Aston Martin establish itself as a credible force in Formula 1 in 2020. During his work with the famous British brand he worked closely with 4-times World Champion Sebastian Vettel, helping the German star to become one of the most popular and high profile ambassadors in the sport.
Matt was Editorial Director of Haymarket Motorsport Publications before heading to McLaren Racing in 2008 as Chief Communications Officer, working closely with World Champions Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso.
His senior roles as a journalist and editor encompassed spells with many well known publications such as Car, Autosport and F1 Racing – at that time the world’s largest selling Formula 1 magazine.
After nine years with McLaren, Matt joined W Series as Communications Director in 2018, overseeing the successful global launch of the ground breaking all-female racing championship. Matt played a key role in promoting diversity and inclusion.
Competitive Formula One teams comprise 1800 staff, less than 10% of whom attend the race events, so teamwork requires complete alignment, shared purpose and close collaboration across the business.  The world championship includes 24 Grands Prix and these represent a series of non-negotiable deadlines which the entire organisation has to meet in terms of car development, hardware and software upgrades.  The ultimate, public example of high-performance teamwork comes in the form of the mandatory pit stops which have to be performed during a race – the record now stands at 1.8 seconds during which 22 staff carry out 36 tasks under extreme pressure. Alignment behind the team’s strategies and ambitious goals is vital, so too having the agility to flex the strategy in the face of constant changes in technology and the performance of competitors.
