Steven Speeds from Racing to an MBA and Back

Steven Goldstein

'Pedal to the metal' is an expression that 28-year old Bogotá native Steven Goldstein knows very well: in 2004 he became champion of the Formula 2000 in the United States and in 2008 he signed with Ferrari to drive an F430 Scuderia in the Commissione Sportiva Automobilistica Italiana (CSAI) GT Cup. Since then, keeping the pedal to the metal has been the leitmotif of his racing career. However, between one life event and another, 'Stevo' realized that speeding on the race track isn't the only thing that matters in the world of racing. This is why, in 2007-2008, he decided to enrich his personal experience with an MBA at SDA Bocconi.

"Going fast is crucial on the race track, but once you leave the race car there are other important things in a driver's career: one of those things is business," explains Steven. "I chose to do an MBA so I could fully grasp the dynamics of management and better understand how to manage my career." However, Steven isn't new to the field of economics. Before starting his career as a race car driver in 2002 at BMW's official training school in Germany, this Colombian student was already studying at the American University in Washington. He graduated magna cum laude in 2003 in marketing, studying the importance of promoting and managing your image. But his work with sponsors (including Café de Colombia and Pirelli) also supported a commitment to non-profits: today Stevo is an ambassador of "Mas arte, menos minas," a Colombian organization that deals with victims of anti-personnel mines and he also collaborates with Arts Relief, a Barcelona association that promotes art as a bridge between various cultures. In 2002, after driving school in Germany, the gates to the pit lane opened up for Stevo. After several races in Germany, he went to the States to race in the F2000, where he was crowned champion in 2004. This accomplishment was "one of the two most exciting moments in my career," he says. Thanks to that victory, Audi took notice of him and called him back to Europe, and in 2006 he began participating in the Euro Superstars Championship, winning the title of best new driver of the season and winning the constructors' championship in 2007.

Stevo on the track with his F430 Scuderia

Then he got out of his race car and into SDA Bocconi classrooms: "The MBA was challenging, especially the aspects of quantitative analysis, but I'm very pleased and studying was extremely useful. Finance, for example, was an element that was missing in my previous studies." Coming from a person focused on results like only a race car driver can be, "while I was studying I kept thinking about how to put what I was learning in class to use," he says. While he was completing his studies at SDA was when his other best memory occurred: "I signed my contact with Ferrari, which I think is every driver's highest aspiration." Under the aegis of the cavallino rampante – the iconic prancing horse – Stevo took part in the 2009 CSAI GT Cup championship, on board an F430 Scuderia prepared by the Kessel Racing team. "I'm currently sixth in the ranking. I've been in pole position three times and in two races, Mugello and Imola, I was in the winner's circle." Achieving positive results on the race track and in the classroom, Steven Goldstein has built up an atypical image over the years compared to the usual driver who lives for cars and who would rather be in a garage than a classroom. But switching between scholarly robes and a flame-retardant suit has allowed him to get a leg up on how he approaches businesses and therefore his sponsors. Not to mention how to come in first both on and off the track.