FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[Toddy1]

Hey,

(I'm not sure whether this is in the right section, but i couldn't see where else it would fit :p)

I'm interested in a career in Formula 1 Engineering, and was wondering if I could get some advice on the best steps to achieve this. I'm 16 years old and currently studying Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology A levels. I know these A levels are fine for getting onto any engineering course, but what is the best course for formula 1/motorsport engineering?

Is there anything else I could do to get a higher chance of becoming a race engineer? I understand teams are going to want experienced engineers, so i'd have to start off at the very bottom and work my way up, but is there anything extra I could do?

If you have any extra advice or tips please say

Cheers,

Dom

[Jabberwocky]

I know some university's run some motor sport orientated degree courses. maybe have a look at some of them.



Welcome to the site

[vaptin]

I'd say aeronautical engineering at a good uni like nottigham or imperial. Get lots of work experience with companies whilst at uni.

Motersport enginerring/ automotive enginerring would probably be good as well.

They're not going to judge you at 16, so get to a uni with experience and good industry contacts and the like who can help guide your career.

[scotty]

I do Motorsport Engineering at Oxford Brookes, it seems like the best place in the country for this particular course, the facilities are very good and the links to F1 teams are second to none - there are so many F1 teams based nearby Other similar degrees could lead you to F1 too though, Aeronautical and especially Mechanical engineering would be other good options (Rob Smedley has a degree in Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering for example), and you can do them at a wider range of unis it seems. I think you can even do a degree in race engineering at some places, but that seems a bit too specialised to me.

[rozer]

Williams offer a very limited number of work experience students something like 10 try and get yourself on that it only runs for a week but hell it would be awesome.
Best of luck

[headless]

Gotta get teh grades at A Level first...

[vaptin]

Indeed, do further maths if you can wrangle it with where your studying.

physics and maths are the most important, also try to take mechanics modules in maths.

Would say only take chem and bio if they interest you more than other subjects.

[scotty]

Indeed, do further maths if you can wrangle it with where your studying.

physics and maths are the most important, also try to take mechanics modules in maths.

Would say only take chem and bio if they interest you more than other subjects.

If you have to drop a subject after AS certainly make it bio (if you are 100% about your choice here that is) - chemistry can be useful in engineering, when studying thermodynamics and such.

[racechick]

Most of the guys I know who went on to do well in motorsport engineering were at cranfielfd (Cranfield institute of Technology)doing post grad stuff. They had a wind tunnel there. Not sure if its now affiliated to a university or not. Pat symonds went there and Adrian Reynard. Other guys I know from there are in industries that supply F1 or aeronautical stuff. Things may have changed. I love F1! but am poo on the technical stuff. I can find out more if you want.

[mrp101]

Formula Student teams

I can tell you this from experience. Any team is really good.

All the advice above is great as well.

Make sure you maintain grades!

[Toddy1]

Thanks so much for all the feedback!

I've got a much better idea of where to head now And yeah, i'm going to drop Biology after AS.

[darwin dali]

Thanks so much for all the feedback!

I've got a much better idea of where to head now And yeah, i'm going to drop Biology after AS.

Unless you wanted to get into bioengineering or similar. You could build yourself a niche as an expert on driver - car interactions, ergonomic design, improvement of driver performance through technological advances, etc.

[Jabberwocky]

Thanks so much for all the feedback!

I've got a much better idea of where to head now And yeah, i'm going to drop Biology after AS.

Unless you wanted to get into bioengineering or similar. You could build yourself a niche as an expert on driver - car interactions, ergonomic design, improvement of driver performance through technological advances, etc.

thought controlled cars could be the way forward

[NocturnalTendencies]

I couldn't begin to imagine nor comprehend the astonishing feats behind F1 Engineering, brilliants minds.

Good luck in your quest.

Cheers

[vaptin]

Most of the guys I know who went on to do well in motorsport engineering were at cranfielfd (Cranfield institute of Technology)doing post grad stuff. They had a wind tunnel there. Not sure if its now affiliated to a university or not. Pat symonds went there and Adrian Reynard. Other guys I know from there are in industries that supply F1 or aeronautical stuff. Things may have changed. I love F1! but am poo on the technical stuff. I can find out more if you want.

Looked that place up on google, it looks pretty good. I'll keep it in mind in about 5 years time.