At the intersection of precision and style sits Ruth Buscombe — F1 strategist, engineer, and presenter, whose sharp decisions on the track have made her one of motorsport’s most respected voices. As an AWS Motorsports Technical Advisor and a trailblazing woman in Formula 1, Ruth knows that every second — and every detail — matters. For Rabeanco.Rabeanco’s Race to Style campaign, she shares how the adrenaline of racing and the elegance of fashion fuel her drive, proving that strategy isn’t just for the circuit — it’s a way of living boldly and stylishly.
Image from Ruth's Instagram
1. In F1, every second counts. How does that same sense of precision and performance inspire the way you approach personal style?
In Formula 1, precision isn’t optional, it’s everything. I take that mindset into how I dress: I like clean lines, pieces that perform under pressure, and details that feel considered. For me, style is about finding that same balance of function and form, every choice working together like parts of a race car.
2. You’re known for making high-pressure strategy calls trackside. If style were a race, what would be your winning strategy?
My strategy would be the same as on the pit wall: prepare, adapt, and execute with confidence. I invest in timeless, versatile pieces, my “hard tyres” that always last, and then add one bold accessory, the “soft tyre,” that changes the pace and keeps things exciting.
3. Engineering is about function and performance, while fashion is about expression. How do you balance practicality with personality when it comes to the bag you carry every day?
I need a bag that performs like good engineering: strong, efficient, and reliable. But I don’t want it to feel soulless. I look for shapes and textures that have personality, so the bag works hard for me but still feels like an extension of who I am.
4. Just like a pit stop, a great handbag can transform your pace instantly. What are your Rabeanco.Rabeanco essentials that keep you race-ready from the track to the city?
My phone notes app is my strategy playbook, and I never travel without a power bank because my race weekends are data-heavy and non-stop. Those two things keep me sharp and race-ready wherever the day takes me.
5. F1 and fashion both thrive on innovation. What parallels do you see between pushing the limits on track and pushing boundaries in personal style?
In F1, you are constantly asking how to find an edge, how to do something no one else has thought of. Fashion has that same spirit, pushing past what is safe, experimenting, sometimes failing, but always moving the conversation forward. Both worlds reward courage and creativity.
6. If you could design a bag inspired by the thrill of racing, what signature detail would you add to make it uniquely “Ruth”?
I would design a bag with modular compartments, like a pit wall toolkit, but with a sleek silhouette. And I would hide a subtle nod to the sport, maybe a lining in racing green or a clasp shaped like a steering wheel paddle. Quiet details only true fans would notice.
7. Finally, style is also about confidence. What advice would you give women who want to own their space, whether it’s on the racetrack, the stage, or the street?
Confidence is not about being the loudest in the room, it is about being certain of your value. My advice: know your strengths, prepare like it matters, and then walk in like you belong, because you do. Whether it is strategy, style, or life, conviction is the ultimate power move.
