Business of Speed Podcast

In this episode, Vincenzo and Lali sit down with the founder of The Paddock Journal, the Substack-turned-physical-magazine bringing fashion, culture, and editorial storytelling to the world of F1. Esmé breaks down how she went from pitching a Laura Winter feature to major publications (and getting rejected) to launching her own brand that had Alpine Stars knocking on her door within months.

We get into all of it: why physical media is making a comeback in a short-form video world, how the F1 industry itself is paying attention to what she's building, the moment at the Dutch Grand Prix where she realized she had a real business, and why she thinks "imposter syndrome" needs to be deleted from our vocabulary entirely.

Plus, Esmé reveals her biggest move yet: The Paddock Journal Atelier, a fashion showroom and shopping experience launching at the Monaco and Silverstone Grand Prix this year.

Whether you're building a media brand, trying to break into motorsport, or just want proof that asking for what you want actually works, this one's for you.

Connect with Esmé and The Paddock Journal: Website: thepaddockjournal.com Instagram: @thepaddockjournal

Creators and Guests

Host
Lali Michelsen
Chief Creative Officer, Business of Speed
Host
Vincenzo Landino
Founder + Managing Director, Business of Speed

What is Business of Speed Podcast?

Business of Speed is the definitive, deep-dive into the money, power, and technology driving modern racing.

We don't report the race, we pull back the curtain on the strategy behind it. This show treats global racing as the ultimate laboratory for competitive advantage, focusing on the high-level business decisions that shape the sports. We move past passive sponsorships to explore how teams, brands, and executives leverage racing for technology transfer, cultural relevance, and operational impact.

This is where the C-suite goes to learn how to harness velocity into a sustainable business advantage.