From Trackside to Team Strategy
Mihaela’s first live Formula 1 race at the Hungarian Grand Prix was unforgettable. The atmosphere. The roar of the engines. The sheer adrenaline.
“It locked in the experience for me,” she recalls. “That energy - it’s something you carry with you.”
Years later, when the partnership with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team was confirmed and she got assigned to it, her reaction was instant:
“This is it. The kind of opportunity you hope for. It felt like a champagne moment.”
Engineering at Scale
Her first visit to the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls facility reframed everything.
“I expected complexity, but I didn’t expect the sheer scale,” she shares. “Seeing how much work and precision go into building what we watch on weekends - it was humbling. So many people aligned around one goal.”
This level of rigor now drives her day-to-day work in Cluj. From planning to execution, her team applies the same level of focus, collaboration, and operational excellence.
People First, Always
For Mihaela, trust is the cornerstone of performance.
“Open conversations. Addressing tension head-on. That’s what builds strong partnerships,” she says.
But it goes deeper than that.
“Getting to know people beyond the day-to-day work -creating space where sharing is natural - those relationships are what hold under pressure.”
Even on the most demanding days, her team knows how to lift the mood. “Someone always cracks a joke. It reminds us - we’re in this together.”
When asked which Formula 1 circuit best reflects her personality, her answer is quick: Suzuka.
“It strikes the right balance - you stay focused, but you also enjoy the ride. That’s how I try to approach things. And the sakura season? Definitely a bonus.”
Structured Energy
Mornings begin with quiet routine: a quick breakfast, followed by time with Oreo, the dog. Once the workday starts, the rhythm picks up.
Her soundtrack? Imagine Dragons’ “Believer.”
“It sets the pace. It’s energy. It’s grit.”
Her agenda is always close by.
“It’s like my personal assistant - keeps everything in one place and helps me stay on track.”
Evenings are her time to reset. Long walks with Oreo, or a few minutes of calm before the next planning session. And when it’s a late one?
“A sweet reward helps. Sometimes it’s a Kinder Bueno. Just enough fuel to push through.”
A Shared Victory
At the end of the season - Formula 1 or project delivery - it’s not about individual wins. “It’s the whole team’s result,” she says.
“It’s the collective outcome that matters most. Everyone contributes to the result. That’s the real reward.”
For those just stepping into this fast-paced world, her advice is steady:
“Trust yourself. You’ve got this. And don’t forget to enjoy the ride.”
Mihaela shows that real leadership isn’t about pushing harder - it’s about seeing clearly, building trust, and leading with intention, even under pressure.
