F1 Needs You

[marine boy]

If anyone is seriously interested in working in F1 and has transferable skills or a recent graduate but maybe think you might not be good enough

Don't be put off applying for specifc advertised roles or even specutively sending off your CV as from my inside perspective F1 teams are screaming out for people

Been in the game for 23yrs and can't remember a time where so many teams are so actively recruiting in the UK and Italy, Switzerland, Italy and USA

Think it's a combination of....

Very health IMSA/WEC manufacturer involvement meaning less people to go around
Financially strong F1 teams looking at rebuilding eg Williams, Haas
F1 teams expanding eg McLaren and especially AMF1
F1 teams capitalising the budget cap loopholes building/expanding sister technology companies eg Redbull, Mercedes, AMF1, Williams
Andretti/GM and Audi aggressively recruiting for their F1 start ups
Honda re-setting up a UK base
Biggest rule change in F1's history coming in 2026
F1 people just leaving for an easier life/healthier work/life balance
An aging F1 population who have had enough
Brexit and COVID hangovers

In recent months, I've had the CTO or TD of 4x F1 teams both here in the UK and abroad and even a F1 recruitment specialist call me to know if I can recommend people for different positions

Apologies, too busy to individually help anyone but just wanted to let the PH community know there are plenty of F1 opportunities out there

Won't give out any contact details but look around Google, check out teams websites, motorsport recruitment companies/ websites, call up teams reception phoneline, hand your CV into the security gate, ask your mate down the pub

If you're determined enough, no reason why eventually you want be able to find a way in as there are more F1 opportunities now than there ever has been

Remember, fortune favours the brave, don't ask you don't get, it's a numbers game, more you try the luckier you get and better to have tried than regret you didn't

Will pop back to this thread from time to time to try and answer any questions and hopefully this prod to 'just do it' results in someone making the leap into getting their dream job and a career working in F1

[Mr Pointy]

You could start out by flagging up what sort of skills they are after, & don't just say "everything" as that doesn't help.

Just like any other business if the money & working conditions were good enough they wouldn't have issues recruiting.

[marine boy]

Wow, 2 posts in, that didn't take long

Thanks for confirming why I shouldn't have bothered starting this thread

[RustyMX5]

If there's a need for a Business Analyst then I'd be interested.

[NNH]

Thanks for starting the thread! You mentioned transferable skills - what's in demand at the moment?

[SpudLink]

If anyone is really interested in working in F1, the jobs are advertised. Just like any industry.

For example...
https://www.motorsportjobs.com/us/jobs/industry/fo...

Just had a look at the Solution Architect role at Mercedes, and it doesn't specify motorsport experience is a requirement.

So as the OP says, if you have transferable skills and want to work in the industry, give it a go.

Edited by SpudLink on Thursday 16th May 15:54

[SturdyHSV]

NNH said:

Thanks for starting the thread! You mentioned transferable skills - what's in demand at the moment?

Behind the trackside bits, an F1 team is essentially a manufacturing company that makes products out of metals and composites, with a general manufacturing process focused on efficiency, accuracy and performance, and some very strict shipping deadlines.

So really anything that applies to manufacturing, just without the tens of layers of arbitrary 'managers' who don't contribute much, no pesky sales team and no silly customers getting in the way

In terms of specific skills, that will vary by team, and what they use could vary by who's sponsoring them, so if you work for / have experience with one of the sponsors for example, there's potential that some of their software / hardware is in use.

After the Williams 'massive Excel spreadsheet' news earlier in the year, some experience with ERP systems would seem very advantageous to them! I'm not sure which system they've gone with, but in use within the industry Aston were using IFS, Alpine were using Microsoft Dynamics, VCARB have Epicor sponsorship on the car so you can safely assume what they're using...

Just as an example.

[Mr Pointy]

marine boy said:

Wow, 2 posts in, that didn't take long

Thanks for confirming why I shouldn't have bothered starting this thread

And yet you still didn't detail what types of roles are needed, which would actually have been a useful contribution.

Motorsport has a long history of low pay & long hours relying on the "glamour" of working in F1 & the desire of potential employees to work in motorsport. Gen Z aren't so interested in that scenario.

[Muzzer79]

Mr Pointy said:

marine boy said:

Wow, 2 posts in, that didn't take long

Thanks for confirming why I shouldn't have bothered starting this thread

And yet you still didn't detail what types of roles are needed, which would actually have been a useful contribution.

Motorsport has a long history of low pay & long hours relying on the "glamour" of working in F1 & the desire of potential employees to work in motorsport. Gen Z aren't so interested in that scenario.

I think that the OP's point is that, on a motoring forum, the number of people who have always wanted to work in F1, in any capacity, will be relatively high.

This therefore isn't a post saying that if, for example, you're a CAD designer, this is your chance - it's a post saying that F1 teams are looking for people due to expansion/investment so if you've ever wanted to go for it in your particular field, now is as good a time as any.

[marine boy]

Mr Pointy said:

And yet you still didn't detail what types of roles are needed, which would actually have been a useful contribution.

Motorsport has a long history of low pay & long hours relying on the "glamour" of working in F1 & the desire of potential employees to work in motorsport. Gen Z aren't so interested in that scenario.

Go away you angry little man! This thread doesn't need you!

Thanks Spudlink, your link highlights just how many roles are vacant. Wasn't long ago that list was 10-15 openings not +200, covering all areas of a business ie technical marketing, business, marketing, logistics etc

Working in F1 isn't glamorous, hours are long but not as long as they used to be, work can be monotonous, you can earn more money elsewhere.

Working in F1 isn't for everyone, not problem, plenty of other interesting areas of industry to work in


If you want be part of a dynamic working team environment where the results of everyone's efforts are measured and made public for the world too see then F1 is a pretty good fit

[marine boy]

RustyMX5 said:

If there's a need for a Business Analyst then I'd be interested.

Not sure if F1 teams require this but all the big teams have sister high technology businesses that 100% would benefit from a business analyst

This could be a good route into working in their F1 team

Williams started it off with Williams Advanced Engineering but has since been sold off while the team was in survival mode.

Williams recently announced they've just set up Williams Grandprix Technologies

Redbull have Redbull Advanced Technologies

Mercedes have Mercedes Applied Science

Aston Martin ate setting up Aston Martin Performance Technologies

McLaren obviously have their road car side, TAG Electronics, and other racing categories

All the above will be working on business outside of F1, offering solutions for clients in, road cars, electronics, lightweight structures, motorsport, medical, space/aerospace, controls, software, military

[marine boy]

NNH said:

Thanks for starting the thread! You mentioned transferable skills - what's in demand at the moment?

Thanks, I'd be more than happy if it only helps just one PH members, gets a job F1

Aero is probably top of the list as this contributes the most performance to the car, never enough aero folk to go around

Designers and engineers are always in short supply, don't have to be the most clever ie like me, just have to have the drive, motivation and stamina not to give up

Sustainability is a relatively new area that F1 has had to address recently, think this area would be a very interesting area to work in

Most areas of F1 always need replenishing with new people as working in F1cis not for everyone so a lot of people leave after they realise it's harder work than they expected

Not just hours, it's the pursuit of perfection in impossibly tight timescales, too much travel away from home for race team personel can become mentally and physically too much over many years

[marine boy]

Muzzer79 said:

I think that the OP's point is that, on a motoring forum, the number of people who have always wanted to work in F1, in any capacity, will be relatively high.

This therefore isn't a post saying that if, for example, you're a CAD designer, this is your chance - it's a post saying that F1 teams are looking for people due to expansion/investment so if you've ever wanted to go for it in your particular field, now is as good a time as any.

Thanks Muzzer, this was exactly the point of starting this thread

Other than Mr Pointless, I'm pleased you and everyone else can see that

Guess the main point I was trying to get across is quite often F1 comes across as a bunch of elitist ego's who think they're better than everyone else.

For sure there are a few like this but from my experience the vast majority are quite humble and just want to crack on doing the best they can while enjoying working with like minded people

Outside perception can be a bit off putting, so it's easy to think your not good, skilled, clever or experienced enough to work in F1

This was me 23yrs ago, a very well respected F1 engineer told me I should work in F1 because I would piss it!

Don't think I've done that, just consider myself a lucky,veteran survivor that still immensely enjoys the grind and challenge of F1

[Mr Pointy]

marine boy said:

Muzzer79 said:

I think that the OP's point is that, on a motoring forum, the number of people who have always wanted to work in F1, in any capacity, will be relatively high.

This therefore isn't a post saying that if, for example, you're a CAD designer, this is your chance - it's a post saying that F1 teams are looking for people due to expansion/investment so if you've ever wanted to go for it in your particular field, now is as good a time as any.

Thanks Muzzer, this was exactly the point of starting this thread

Other than Mr Pointless, I'm pleased you and everyone else can see that

Guess the main point I was trying to get across is quite often F1 comes across as a bunch of elitist ego's who think they're better than everyone else.

For sure there are a few like this but from my experience the vast majority are quite humble and just want to crack on doing the best they can while enjoying working with like minded people

Outside perception can be a bit off putting, so it's easy to think your not good, skilled, clever or experienced enough to work in F1

This was me 23yrs ago, a very well respected F1 engineer told me I should work in F1 because I would piss it!

Don't think I've done that, just consider myself a lucky,veteran survivor that still immensely enjoys the grind and challenge of F1

Hilairious. Any business can attract staff if they pay properly & have decent working conditions. F1 demands long hours & has a very intense working pattern during the season.

You seem very easily triggered just because your rallying call to the wonderful world of F1 was questioned. Unlike you, I'm not in thrall to the sport.

[SturdyHSV]

I think the thread is worthwhile even if just to remind people that the race team is a tiny percentage of a team, and that there are hundreds and hundreds of people in much more 'normal' roles that contribute to building a car and getting it on to the grid.

I'd also say that as much as it isn't necessarily 'glamourous' working in F1, you could be doing the same role for a washing machine manufacturer or a company that sells stationary, and you'd hope that at least some of the people on PH would be a little more excited about being part of a race team.

Sure, many of the roles in a team can ask a lot of you, and some people won't like that. Others will love what they do, and it won't feel like work.

Personally, I'm in the latter camp, it's the most rewarding, enjoyable and stimulating job I've ever had, and I love it and am incredibly grateful for it. The feel of being part of a team all working towards something together, the attitude and culture, the quality of the people you get to work with and the effort they're putting in as well, the working environment and facilities are fantastic, and as was said, you get to see how well you've done against some of the best in the world every week or two.

If I didn't have bills to pay they wouldn't have to pay me to turn up at all, and I'm more than happy to listen to the scoffs of derision from thrusting PH directors for having that sentiment about 'work'.

Frankly I haven't felt like I've been at work for over 5 years

Would also agree with marine boy above, sure there are a few egos that get a bit inflated about the idea of being in F1, but let's be honest, there are egos in every business, and the overwhelming majority are humble, hard working and enthusiastic people who want to work together to be the best, and that's an intoxicating environment to be in.

[NNH]

Mr Pointy said:

marine boy said:

Muzzer79 said:

I think that the OP's point is that, on a motoring forum, the number of people who have always wanted to work in F1, in any capacity, will be relatively high.

This therefore isn't a post saying that if, for example, you're a CAD designer, this is your chance - it's a post saying that F1 teams are looking for people due to expansion/investment so if you've ever wanted to go for it in your particular field, now is as good a time as any.

Thanks Muzzer, this was exactly the point of starting this thread

Other than Mr Pointless, I'm pleased you and everyone else can see that

Guess the main point I was trying to get across is quite often F1 comes across as a bunch of elitist ego's who think they're better than everyone else.

For sure there are a few like this but from my experience the vast majority are quite humble and just want to crack on doing the best they can while enjoying working with like minded people

Outside perception can be a bit off putting, so it's easy to think your not good, skilled, clever or experienced enough to work in F1

This was me 23yrs ago, a very well respected F1 engineer told me I should work in F1 because I would piss it!

Don't think I've done that, just consider myself a lucky,veteran survivor that still immensely enjoys the grind and challenge of F1

Hilairious. Any business can attract staff if they pay properly & have decent working conditions. F1 demands long hours & has a very intense working pattern during the season.

You seem very easily triggered just because your rallying call to the wonderful world of F1 was questioned. Unlike you, I'm not in thrall to the sport.

It taakes some effort to recycle OP's points, pretend you made them yourself, then accuse someone else of being triggered. It would be better to admit you're wrong and flounce off.

[marine boy]

Mr Pointy said:

Hilairious. Any business can attract staff if they pay properly & have decent working conditions. F1 demands long hours & has a very intense working pattern during the season.

You seem very easily triggered just because your rallying call to the wonderful world of F1 was questioned. Unlike you, I'm not in thrall to the sport.

Very PH's to run down things that people have zero experience in, seems a bit pointless to me, just unwanted noise

F1 is expanding at a rate I've never experienced or has ever happened before, just thought it would be good to let interested PH members know there are opportunities to be had

Just for the record I'm not in thrall with the sport, find the racing boring and the off track action all a bit gutter press tabloid

I'm in F1 for the difficult technical challenges it gives me, working in an area of engineering I really enjoy, with people I really enjoy working with and while being paid very well to do it

Like any job it has plenty of downsides and yes one day I'll have had enough of it

[marine boy]

James, thanks for backing me up, and sharing your thoughts/what you get out of working in F1

Good to know I'm not alone on here!

[ashleyman]

Would LOVE to work in F1. They were hiring for the role I currently do at another rights holder. Messaged the recruiter for an initial chat and was ignored!

[n3il123]

Thanks for the post op, as you say even if it gets people thinking they might be able to do it.

It really is a shame that some people can't just ignore a thread but would rather pick it apart numerous times.