My 6-Month Experience with DRL Motorsport

When I started editing for DRL Motorsport Network and motorsports content creator Öykü Ceylan (@byformulasu), the challenge was clear: how to take long talking-head recordings (over 2-3 min) (definitely not ideal for any social media platforms), and turn them into content that could genuinely reach Formula 1 fans on social media and potential brands.

Before our collaboration, the talking-head style videos they shared rarely reached beyond their core follower base. The editor they worked before me didn't have enough understanding for pacing and editing standards, I don't blame the person because not everyone's business, I targeted key points that they're missing while editing the contents and in just 6 months, through consistent editing choices and a deep understanding of what motorsport audiences respond to on social media platforms, we achieved numbers that they had never seen before.

The Results in Numbers

• 3 long-form talking-head videos (2+ minutes)
• 4 short-form videos (under 60 seconds)

All seven went viral organically in the Formula 1 niche in Türkiye.

🔹 Overall: I've edited around 30 videos during this period for them, reaching a combined 2.7M+ organic views.

What Made the Difference

The key was understanding audience behavior and refining every detail to fit the platform. Years of experience with social media helped me identify which parts of a 2–3 minute conversation could resonate most. By trimming unnecessary pauses, highlighting the strongest quotes, and balancing pacing with subtle but effective use of motion graphics, sound effects, and transitions, we turned videos that could have been "too long for Instagram" into clips that held attention and spread organically.

During this project, I also improved my teamwork by communicating closely with each member of the team. I gained valuable experience in transforming long-form footage into scroll-stopping Instagram content.

Maybe I'm not the best editor in the world, but I'm definitely someone who doesn't take excuses and always finds a way to solve problems for the people I work with. And honestly, when it comes to editing I can say I'm one of the best editors in Turkey.

All editing was done in Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects, where I focused on clean pacing, smooth visuals, and supporting graphics without overloading the content. Every cut was made to serve clarity and engagement.

A Takeaway for Content Creators

This experience showed me that even with simple talking-head footage, the right editing approach can completely change outcomes. It's not about forcing trends, but about aligning the core message with what audiences naturally enjoy. When high-quality filming is paired with editing that respects both the platform and the viewer's time, results follow.

Want to get in touch?

Feel free to reach out if you'd like to connect or discuss future opportunities. Let's work together!