FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[Maverick114]

I'm not 100% that this topic is in the correct section, so any mods feel free to move if I've been a biff.

I was just wondering if anyone can give some direction to how you get involved with F1 as an engineer? I understand that formal qualifications play a massive part in any consideration when looking at F1 teams i.e. Masters, Degrees, HND's etc with relevance to the industry, however, I was wondering if similar skills and transferable knowledge may also play in your favour? I'm a Aeronautical engineer on fast jet military aircraft working as a electrician/avionics and was hoping some teams may see this as good knowledge that you could take across to F1. Presently, I have applied for numerous jobs within F1, but as of yet had no response. Is there anything anyone could suggest that would make my future applications more potent? Academic courses for example?

Many thanks.

Pete.

[LewEngBridewell]

I'm not so sure myself, but I know one of our moderators here, scotty, is studying with the aim of possibly getting involved in the sport. I think?

Anyway, he should possess some knowledge in this area.

[Maverick114]

I'm not so sure myself, but I know one of our moderators here, scotty, is studying with the aim of possibly getting involved in the sport. I think?

Anyway, he should possess some knowledge in this area.

Ok mate, cheers for the heads up. I'll get in touch and see what his plan is.

Nice one

[LewEngBridewell]

I'm not so sure myself, but I know one of our moderators here, scotty, is studying with the aim of possibly getting involved in the sport. I think?

Anyway, he should possess some knowledge in this area.

Ok mate, cheers for the heads up. I'll get in touch and see what his plan is.

Nice one

No problem

[Maverick114]

No problem

I've just PM'd him so hopefully hear something back soon.

Thank again.

[synsei]

I would suggest concentrating on one of the teams towards the back of the grid to start with. A lowlier team are more likely to take a punt on you and it will be excellent experience to boot. Established motorsport engineers tend to be noticed and poached from existing teams and lower formulas

[Maverick114]

I would suggest concentrating on one of the teams towards the back of the grid to start with. A lowlier team are more likely to take a punt on you and it will be excellent experience to boot. Established motorsport engineers tend to be noticed and poached from existing teams and lower formulas

Definitely, that's what I intend to do. I have had experience within motorsport albeit a small amount, I was part of the pit crew at the 2008 Brit Car 24hr race for Barwell Motorsport, was a fantastic event until we were forced in to early retirement due to engine failure. Having read numerous job adverts, what always seems to crop up is motorsport experience 'essential' or 'preferred'. The problem I have with this, now, is I'm no longer in a position where I can lend my services to a race team over various weekends so it's quite difficult to build that experience up.

I'm just wondering what attributes etc would make me more attractive to the lower down teams because as you say I'll probably have more luck with them?

Cheers.

[What's Burning?]

I would think that a not often thought of path into F1 would be things like hospitality or logistics, may be infinitesimally less competitive than aerodynamic design or engineering.

[Blackavar]

Drive really, really fast.

[Maverick114]

I would think that a not often thought of path into F1 would be things like hospitality or logistics, may be infinitesimally less competitive than aerodynamic design or engineering.

Yeah, never thought of that to be honest. However, to utilise the skill set I already have, going for an engineers position would make much more sense as I can apply my knowledge of working on complex military aircraft systems to F1 cars. Well that's the theory anyway.

[Maverick114]

Drive really, really fast.

...and ream less ends of money too!

[synsei]

I would suggest concentrating on one of the teams towards the back of the grid to start with. A lowlier team are more likely to take a punt on you and it will be excellent experience to boot. Established motorsport engineers tend to be noticed and poached from existing teams and lower formulas

Definitely, that's what I intend to do. I have had experience within motorsport albeit a small amount, I was part of the pit crew at the 2008 Brit Car 24hr race for Barwell Motorsport, was a fantastic event until we were forced in to early retirement due to engine failure. Having read numerous job adverts, what always seems to crop up is motorsport experience 'essential' or 'preferred'. The problem I have with this, now, is I'm no longer in a position where I can lend my services to a race team over various weekends so it's quite difficult to build that experience up.

I'm just wondering what attributes etc would make me more attractive to the lower down teams because as you say I'll probably have more luck with them?

Cheers.

Enthusiasm, availability and ability are key. If you are unavailable over certain weekends this will most definitely be an obstacle for you. Your experience with Barwell is an asset but my feeling is that you will need to rack up more experience in lower formulas before an F1 team are going to consider you. They will also expect total commitment, which means working weekends...

[andrew]

Building experience and a rep in lower formulae would probably be a good starting place.

[Maverick114]

:imwithstupid:

Building experience and a rep in lower formulae would probably be a good starting place.

Yeah, I think you maybe right there. You'd be incredibly fortunate to just land an F1 job on the back of no relevant experience. It's just finding GP2 jobs etc?

Cheers Andrew.

[Maverick114]

Enthusiasm, availability and ability are key. If you are unavailable over certain weekends this will most definitely be an obstacle for you. Your experience with Barwell is an asset but my feeling is that you will need to rack up more experience in lower formulas before an F1 team are going to consider you. They will also expect total commitment, which means working weekends...

The job I do currently demands the same attributes, so I know what it takes to be committed to something and do it because you love it! My issue with weekends has nothing to do with not wanting to do them, it's having the time as my current job requires me to work weekends, so I am a bit stuck really. Being upfront and honest, working weekends in my current job pays good money and in this current economic down turn I suppose you have to take what you can get at the minute. That said, if a lower formula team said 'yep, come and give us a hand on these weekends' I would arrange it so. I suspect, even voluntary help is hard to find as there will be loads of people looking at getting into motorsport this way?