Bloomberg Talks Harvey Schwartz and Laurent Mekies Talk F1 Partnership and Recent Success
Oct 20, 2025
Harvey Schwartz, CEO of Carlyle, and Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, delve into their exciting F1 partnership ahead of the U.S. Grand Prix. They discuss the thrill of seeing Carlyle's branding on the car and the strategic alignment of their collaboration. The duo also addresses the influx of institutional investment in F1, impacting fan engagement and sport dynamics. Additionally, they reflect on leadership lessons and the importance of maintaining focus on performance while navigating market uncertainties.
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Performance-Driven Sponsorship
- Carlyle views sports sponsorship as an evolution of private markets reaching a broader global audience.
- The firm aligned with Oracle Red Bull Racing because both prioritize performance and execution above all else.
Natural Cultural Fit
- Red Bull saw a natural cultural fit with Carlyle based on shared obsession with performance and data.
- That alignment made the partnership feel immediate and authentic to both parties.
F1's Growing Diverse Audience
- Formula 1 has broadened its audience significantly, gaining younger and more female fans.
- That demographic shift parallels private markets expanding into wealth and retail audiences.