Hi folks,

Are there any persons here working in motorsport? I’m looking at sending a few open applications, and I’d like some advice on what potential employers are looking for with regards to skills and experience.

I’m writing up my PhD (computational materials engineering) at the moment and I’m looking to continue into a technical role, with options for international collaboration.

Mail in profile…

Cheers,
Rich

My B-i-L has literally just left Merecedes (the F1 outfit), where he had worked for five years as an engineer. We’re not especially close, but I could put questions to him in the hope that he might answer.

Are there specifics you would like to know?

Email also in profile.

I did for a couple of years. They seemed more interested in having good general skills like being able to read and interpret a technical drawing rather than knowing how to make a car go fast. They had the specialist knowledge and we’re looking for people they could work with and train.

That said it was a funny old place to work. Long hours all the time, not just a case of going the extra when needed. Turned out to be a bit dull too. Only ever worked on little bits and everything was very incremental. Take a part we’d already used, shave a few mm off here and there and repeat. There were good jobs but they were generally cherry picked by the more senior staff. A useful experience but not a career highlight for me.

A friend of mine is reasonably high up at Ferrari F1, having previously worked at Renault F1. Based on his career path – I’d say get some CATIA experience if you don’t already have it!

I can ping him some questions if you like, though I can’t guarantee he’ll answer them 🙂

Thank you all for the messages. I’ll be in touch via email 🙂

You might want to send compositepro a message too, and Porterjamie, and maxtorque.

In My experience (I have done both) OEM road car stuff is far more interesting and technically advanced.
Top end Motorsport stuff is generally no better, just more expensive in every regard except Pay 😉

Worked with Williams and the majority of the engineers never left Wantage and just did dull stuff. The race team staff were ok but very up their own arse, the aero boys I worked with were really funny.

Each team is very unique, the Mclaren guys were utter dicks it was when they were winning everything. Ferrari were very funny and Italian.

Pay for the race team wasn’t great, but were looked after as far as food and travel went.