How to Get a Job in Motorsport

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How do you get a job in Formula 1? How do you get a motorsport job? They’re questions I’m asked all the time.
So, over the last few months, I’ve interviewed over 50 professionals from the motorsport industry to understand how to start or advance your career in this wonderful industry.
So this video is going to cover everything you need to know to give yourself the best opportunity of finding that dream job - including, how to find the best role for you, how to break your way into the industry (even if you have no contacts) and the inside track on how to ace applications and interviews - from the interviewers themselves.
And I also spoke to Kimi Raikkonen's race engineer - so watch to the end if you want to know how he managed to engineer for one F1’s best drivers.
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#Motorsport #Jobs #Driver61

[@totalhydration5240]

I can't believe they somehow put ME on the thumbnail.

[@Xinocho-Mito]

XD

[@RoadsideCookie]

This is the internet, so it could genuinely be you lol. Is it, or is it a joke?

[@RagingStream]

You are me and i am you so it is i on the thumbnail(chris laughter)

[@dennisbrannvalls1fan964]

It’s changed so many times I’ve stopped keeping track

[@LordOfPenguinss]

wow

[@Jeff_gamjng21]

I recently finished a degree in motorsport engineering. What really worked for me to get experience was going to a track on a Thursday (when they’re preparing so they’re not busy) with paper copies of my CV and just asking for the team manager, managed to secure some work for F4 and GT4 teams this way. It can be daunting at first going up to them but once you get your first rejection it is so easy. I found that most team managers are really helpful. Calling or emailing never works as they say they get too many to check. Also just be prepared for 14 hour days regularly if you’re working trackside.

[@Driver61]

Great advice.

[@shouryachakre]

What university did you complete your Motorsports degree?

[@Jeff_gamjng21]

@@shouryachakreI did a masters at Cranfield, the best place for it IMO

[@EliasE0805]

What types of things did the degree cover???

[@shouryachakre]

@@Jeff_gamjng21 I am also completing my bachelor's in motorsports Engineering good to hear though 😊

[@stijnhandgraaf3914]

I couple of years ago I managed to land a job in an F2 team. I had been working in a high school karting team, went to do aerospace engineering and got into an university racing team. The driver of that team worked at this F2 team and I happened to know that this team was expanding. So I went to him, asked if he had a job for me, and two weeks later I had an interview. I was extremely lucky but at the same time every step I have taken along the road taken with becoming a race engineer in mind. I'm planning on joining the team again after university and work my way up from F4 to F1.

[@skandinav_nummer1]

рщц old are you and what city are you working in?

[@stijnhandgraaf3914]

@@skandinav_nummer1 I'm 23 now and was 21 at the time. I study at the Delft University of Technology.

[@meanredspider]

If you’re a student, Formula Student. Then be completely committed and be prepared to build all the experience you can. My daughter decided to be a press officer when she was 11 and saw Britta working with Seb V. She is now a PO for an F1 driver and worked with Seb on her way there.

[@fiarandompenaltygeneratorm5044]

Being a nepo baby helps the most it seems.

[@BotsWeekendCovers]

Especially for drivers lol.

[@CapnFlash48]

(cough cough lance stroll cough)

[@AayushKrGupta]

😂

[@AayushKrGupta]

​@@BotsWeekendCoversLance Stroll enters the chat

[@fiarandompenaltygeneratorm5044]

@rbkeyz2328 Thanks, Nepo Baby for chiming in. 😆

[@Becky_Cooling]

I'm a teenager and I want to one day get a job in motorsport catering (I know it's very niche) This video was really helpful, but I need to finish school first...

[@Atlasgtesports]

You’ll smash it mate

[@mrbiblyboo4034]

red bull will love you

[@thomashaupt79]

Just be prepared to have no time off during the season and have workdays 16h or more. Its not glamorous at all if you work at the race track. Its tough and tiring and a strain on any relationship.

[@combatwombat594]

Absolutely. I work a regular day job and score at two tracks on the weekends. Very rarely get days off, but it's worth it to be majorly involved at the race track :p Plus it's only 6 months out of the year, then I just work a day job lol

[@skandinav_nummer1]

@@combatwombat594 so it is not enough money when yopu do not work out of racing season?

[@kaj750]

It doesn't feel like work, if it's what you love.

[@SpooxyCowboy1911]

I went to school for software engineering and have a degree but now recently joined the USAF (United States Air Force) for aerodynamics engineering. Hope to transfer my skills to F1 one day bc that would be awesome. Definitely a dream job of mine

[@Formula1st]

What do you do in the USAF for aero engineering? Im looking at doing a degree in aerospace, but imagined the engineering jobs were with defence companies rather than the military itself. I’ve got a friend wanting to do similar to you, but with the RAF and he didn’t seem to know specifics 😅

[@SpooxyCowboy1911]

@@Formula1st I'm in tech school right now so I don't have a mission yet.

[@MnDogman]

Literally what I want to do, become a USAF engineer then F1 engineer probably factory cuz trackside would be too stressful for me, I wouldn’t want the driver’s race in my hands

[@SpooxyCowboy1911]

@@MnDogman do it. Start learning as much as you can yesterday. My plan is 4 years of usaf, then get a job at an aero company, then transition into f1. I will have to give it my all to even have the chance at f1 but it will be worth it.

[@PatrickMonitore]

Glad you mentioned formula student. Thanks for my engagement there I was able to get an internship at Audi F1

[@kennedybushcraftandmakery]

We have no formula student here but what other no experience jobs would they offer my dream is to drive for rally but next best dream would be a job for an Audi team

[@arcticpenguin.]

Wow congrats 🎉

[@DeanoDrives]

15 mins before lights out. 15 min video. Nice

[@kerimca98]

Oh almost forgot about the race, thanks for reminding me

[@caio5987]

Be prepared to be overworked and underpaid too

[@flyingproofficial]

As an Indian, I am pretty sure I will have to do that anyway

[@varunkharb]

@@flyingproofficial lol

[@stp440]

Underpaid? I did it for free for the first 10 years to finally move up to The role of driver/mechanic luckily with a car owner covering motor and chassis part expenses. I also had the privilege of being the associate sponsor covering tires, fuel, tool updates and splitting transportation costs. During racing season I'm usually broke, starved, behind on bills and have definitely spent a summer or 2 sleeping in my car...is it worth it? Absolutely, I'll do it all over again when the time comes

[@theroddy]

Depends what you want to do. I’m in F1 but am based at the factory. Monday to Thursday. Occasionally Friday.

[@M_arias]

@@theroddyhow did you get into f1 ? I’m am trying to get into f1 or f2 as a race mechanic but not sure how to get in

[@moldytexas]

As a guy lives and breathes motorsports, writing articles and technical analyses about F1, and having just declined a motorsports electronics program in the UK due to certain financial reasons, I just hope this decision doesn't bite me back afterwards, and I'm able to converge my career into motorsports.

[@Kozworth]

I cant tell you how much this video helps. I will be in college before I know it so I guess it doesn't hurt to start looking around now, just to get a feel of what job i'll enjoy. Have any of you heard of f24 green power before? Its super low level, secondary school/college endurance championship and as far as I can tell its pretty big in the uk and parts of Europe.

[@FranManPlayz]

I’m 17 and want to be an aerodynamicist, this really opens my eyes to full time jobs and shows that it won’t be easy if I want it I have to work for it

[@user-om9gy3mg7x]

1st step: Be born in the UK

[@CAL1MBO]

Maybe you can support your local motorsport industry!

[@user-om9gy3mg7x]

@@CAL1MBO Unfortunately, my country's entire automotive industry is really struggling right now. I don't want to be limited in this small country with no clear future in motorsport. I have a not so clear plan of working in another country after finishing grad school. Maybe I can get a job in motorsport. Anyway, I'm just jealous of people from Europe have a much easier path to one of the most successful motorsport industry.

[@FEVERNOVAA]

@@CAL1MBO our motorsport industry is entirely made up of foreigners because they simply don't take juniors

[@liamresnick430]

what amazing advice. i think driving might be out the window for me, as i am 15 years old, but this video has given me more confidence that i can enjoy some other job in racing like my dad who did marketing and sponsor managing for ferrari and manager of public relations for mercedes. so maybe a job like that could still be in reach hopefully 🙏

[@sebololiver]

Try asking your dad for advice

[@liamresnick430]

@@sebololiver i’ve got a while before he would want to give me advice

[@spobe1610]

WHAT THE HELL???!?!?! SIGN ME UP RIGHT NOW! This was the push I needed to keep persisting on mechanical engineering, thank you, so god damn much 🙏

[@alessandrohudson5221]

I have a super desire to be a software developer in a racing team. Once a time I saw an opportunity at Alpha Tauri but besides the tech skills and Italian language knowledge (these two ok for me, I'm software developer for 5 years and I speaking Italiano), I would need to know to talk English (I'm Brazilian) and since then I have been studying for it (please, apologize me if I wrote something wrong). Another tip is having your LinkedIn profile always updated

[@iluvworldofwarcraft]

My dream job in college going for a mechanical engineering degree was a Formula 1 race engineer, preferably an aerodynamicist. I did attend briefly my school's Formula SAE club. Being a U.S. citizen though before HAAS came on the grid i thought it was slim to none chance to get an F1 job. I did eventually work for NASA which was 2nd on the list of dream jobs though.

[@masondegifftkolala2960]

I studied Automotive Engineering it's really quiet hard considering that you have to learn everything to do with engine design

[@LilianaMcleod-pj9jw]

Your videos are a breath of fresh air, always enjoy watching

[@kennygrande9478]

Thank you for giving hope.

[@f1modelreviews5]

It took me 10 years and 16 interviews but after all that hard work, I now work for Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team. This video literally describes the way I went about going racing.

[@combatwombat594]

I got my start because my uncle flagged at a small dirt track that I grew up with him taking me to. I'm good with computers and technology in general, so they brought me on to do the scoring. I ended up being better than the guy they had doing it, and out grew my position there and eventually quit that track. The next racing season, I took a chance on myself, and applied at one of the most known dirt tracks in the country to do their scoring. I've now been doing the scoring there for 3 years and don't want to stop any time soon. I've been doing scoring now for 5 years. All that being said, I'd like to turn it into more than a weekend job. I also work at another track doing their scoring as well that I started half way through this season. Hopefully steps to making it a "real" job :p

[@Blackearbaiya]

Ive wanted to work there as a dream, i hope ill be there sometime❤

[@filipesiegrist]

That video is very important. I don't have a motorsport career in mind but those insights can help me in other ways.

[@NHanced44]

That for real gives me vibes of NFS Carbon canyon runs. Those viewes in the mirror also 😍 For whole 5 minutes couldn't take my eyes off this run. Even though it is extremely dangerous, it is contagious. I dont have a fast car, but I sometimes come to the nearby mountains and drive the routes on full attack also and it brings immense joy and adrenaline. But gotta keep it single line to keep other safe also, in the end it should be only me jeopardizing my life, not the other drivers on the road

[@feynthefallen]

You'd have to be pretty desperate to have that wide a definition of "in motorsport". "What's your job?" - "Oh, I'm in motorsport" - "Really, what do you do?" - "I clean the toilets at Red Bull Racing"

[@nelsongranzow1197]

Yeah, but eventually, he might be doing something else - like cleaning the sinks!

[@musiccd1896]

Better than cleaning toilets at McDonald's if paid well

[@xynged]

You get to do it while wearing Redbull livery its worth

[@Formula1st]

I’d totally do that lmao

[@feynthefallen]

Well, at least we now know F1 teams will always have a steady supply of toilet cleaners.

[@yanispiknib6075]

For me, this is one of the best videos on the channel

[@Will-uf7jt]

Where is the driving an F1 car upside down series? Are you not doing it anymore?

[@Driver61]

Update coming soon!

[@Will-uf7jt]

@@Driver61 hell yeah! I’m excited!!

[@critiqalerror]

Is Julien the same RE who's famous for Kimi's "Stay out, stay out..."?

[@Becky_Cooling]

It's too late now! yes.

[@Quinny.K]

Thanks for this video, it's very inspirational, I really want to get started in Motorsport photography.

[@henrik1743]

Step 1 : Be british or live in UK, preferebly both

[@3rdGenGuy]

I work in aerospace composite assembly, being forced into a motorsport schedule sounds like a nightmare.

[@uttz7]

This good advice from the interviewers no matter the industry.

[@VijaiShyam]

hi scott pls make more "me vs slow drivers" videos

[@saipradeepkonda5700]

I have an exam and so i haven’t watched the video. But why do they have two number 44 cars in the thumbnail pic? With one of the persons in the front row looking like bottas shouldn’t they have 77 on one of them or was there any specific reason they did this

[@NiclasHorn]

i would love to work for a F1 team as a database developer and develop different datasets and other ways to store and use collected data for future car designs, strategies and efficiency. There is a reason why Red Bull has Oracle as a sponsor. And depending of the size of the data i can create similar product to Exaa Data but based on other hardware and Database engine than Oracle.

[@masosz]

0:33 You are talking about Kimi's engineer, but the driver looks like the Kubica XD

[@Cap.RedBeard]

In Australia. A team job requires a lot of unpaid overtime. The racing industry preys on it, but wouldn't exist without out it. Something to keep in mind.

[@Gutemberg28]

Well I can change tyres pretty quick!!!

[@Rschont11]

I am currently pursuing my degree in supply chain management and am I die hard fan of formula motor sports. This video has some fantastic advice

[@Atlasgtesports]

Supply chain is massive area within motorsport aswell.

[@Jay21453]

Thanks for the advice!

[@biot_travel]

great insight and fantastic information - its bound to benefit some of those seeking a career in motorsport. Mercedes F1 has some videos also on this topic.

[@sheldoniusRex]

Old guy here. Going back to school for engineering at 40. Can students sign up on your platform?

[@PhillipHoeflinger]

Do you think it is necessary to leave the country if there isn't a big motorsport company in your home country? For example, I am from Austria, and there are no major teams located here. Leaving everything behind, especially a flat, is not easy. Do you think it is possible to secure a job in the future that offers a higher salary and makes relocation easier after gaining experience in similar roles, or is it essential to move abroad right away to advance in the motorsport industry? By the way, this video inspired me to think about making my dream happen. Therefore THANK YOU!

[@flyingproofficial]

Did bro forgot RedBull

[@oneman2001]

There is a ton of motorsport in Austria. Get involved at a local level first. Once you are in the industry its a lot easier.

[@Danial_G_CR]

Hello, i assume that you are a great engineer and the best person to ask this question: how do I understand what gear ratio to use in my transmission? I'm currently engineering a single seater car, I'm trying to make it as small and as light as possible and could really use some advice to potentially cut down costs on having to rebuild parts because of my lack of experience. I'd be very grateful to you for a reply, thanks in advance❤

[@mattwashington6400]

Thank you very much!

[@yungmugel]

Left BMW to work for Ferrari this year and took a substantial pay cut, all for the goal of finding my way into the team in some capacity. Lets go.

[@briangschaefer7048]

Brilliant video!

[@vugianghi3119]

I’m 13 and I love Motorsport. I really want to see what can I do in the future, this video is helping me a lot about that. Now I can work hard and smart to reach the dream of working in Motorsport, thank you.

[@Jeff_gamjng21]

@@vugianghi3119 hey, I work as an engineer in motorsport. If you want advice , let me know !

[@kanashikanashikanashi]

Hello! I had a motorsport question regarding aerodynamics that I've tried to research but never came back with a straight answer for. That being: What is the point of the "Grill" (large front hole) on old MR formula 1 cars from the 60s and early 70s (Ferrari 156, Lotus 49, Falcon mk1, etc.)? Ferrari namely used this oval intake as late as 1973 with the Ferrari 312B3. I am confused because this would in theory produce a lot of drag. If there is some hidden benefit (such as driver cooling or an s-duct), then why don't we see them on other no-downforce racing series such as modern Formula Vee?

[@cyrusfamindalan9515]

I'm still 17 now, and I'd really do anything to get into motorsports. my score is 61%

[@darc.y]

lol I'm a race engineer on an f4 team and got 67%

[@veizii6096]

I wish I could be closer to f1. I’m in the United States. So it’s not like a have a race track in my area at all. 😢

[@Pastronomer69]

1:10 is that a cardboard cutout of Checo? 😅

[@arifalam5365]

i am a 28 year old guy working in IT Industry , i have a degree of mechanical engineer. Is there any way foreward for me , I have worked for a few local motorsport teams.

[@Agent77X]

Get a video that you are in from a FHP pursuit chase that last more than 45 minutes with more than 6 FHP Charger Hellcats involve!😊

[@FireStormHR]

The format of the CV shown in the video is a huge turn off in the netherlands. A CV should be about your skills and be a clear overview. When your CV looks like a colourful website its just a distraction from the facts youre trying to get across.

[@AppliedTraining]

A lot of companies use software to scan the CVs now so a word document not PDF is needed (in the UK) it looks for Key words. Each industry have different needs from their CV. Teachers fro example have a very different CV layout

[@BrakeForLoop]

It's the same in other fields of interest. You need experience for the job by already having had the job. There's no entry positions that train you or get you aligned with the position. If you don't have experience with their proprietary tech, which isn't available anywhere else, you don't qualify. And then a lot of it is luck because your application is competing against hundreds or thousands of other applicants. Oh, and this is all for a salary that is barely a living wage while having little time for a life or relationships. And if you do get in, then your salary might be double the living wage in 10 years. Best of luck

[@andyking05]

Whens the upside down car tube thingy happening

[@silverX362]

As a mechanical engineer and guy with huge passion for automotive racing industry, i see F1 as a joke. I have 8 years of hands on experience on design manufacturing and management, i have tinkered countless hours of my and my friend's cars, heavy modifications, participations etc. And the F1 offer 40K income for a position i am fit for. You say go through 10 years of development to get into F1 for what? 40K? It is honestly an insult to mechanical engineer to undergo such development to get paid so low, and for the driver to get all the credit. It's like a internship, but you need to work 15 years for it, and there is nothing above. Complete scam.

[@brymo_x]

What about safety engineering

[@emmanuelburuvuru1892]

A power point is something i will do for sure

[@guatf1]

Get us an update on project inversion please

[@KevinBuss-tu5py]

Do you know once you get to F1 can you move around as time goes on. Such as being a race engineer at the start and then a few years later moving to aero or design of the car

[@oneman2001]

Formula Student is brillant but be prepared for very long hours and having to fund it. However its a huge foot in the door as most teams are sponsored by some of the bigger names in automotive industry and motorsport.

[@nuclearmedicineman6270]

I wouldn't want to work for F1. There's just too many rules, the job's entirely about coloring between the lines. I couldn't work like that, I don't even own a pocket protector, and I'm not German so following strict rules to absurd precision just doesn't get my engine revving.

[@wildmax_playz]

I tried the are you hireable test, and even though I put that I follow F1 stuff and essentially picked all the options needed to be very high in passion for sport, it showed me 0% for some reason...

[@hugojennings5155]

I’m looking to get into MotoGP, is motorsport engineering degree a good way in?

[@AJBa83]

Have Lawrence Stroll as a dad.

[@RowingFrontal5]

The answer is: not be able to manage pit stop strategy while your team is running 1-2 and has a 25 second advantage over 3rd place. Also need to play politics with the driver so that you can “fix” the mistake.

[@Zboi99]

I lost my job and this gets recommend to me right after 😂 oohhh the irony

[@thomasgruessmer]

Do you think it’s possible to work in motorsport with a disability? I‘m blind and i would absolutely love to work in motorsport. Obviously not engineering or something like that but in media for example.

[@AppliedTraining]

I would say yes! The IT infrastructure allows so much more accessibility now days with screen readers etc

[@thomasgruessmer]

@@AppliedTraining The IT side of things is what i‘d be least worried about to be honest. I practically grew up working with a screen reader and those kinds of things. The only thing is that some might be very expensive. For me it‘s the travelling part i‘d be more afraid of. Just because i‘d always have to be picked up at the airport or somewhere else. I cannot drive alone to the tracks or wherever i‘d need to be and i wonder if that would be excepted if i was to work for someone in Motorsport.

[@AppliedTraining]

@@thomasgruessmer hi, To be honest most tracks are easier to get to by taxi etc. Also all the trips ive ever been on to tracks for support ive been with others and also got taxis. Only once hired a car to visit a team factory. This includes Europe and middle east and soon to be the states. Ps i am interviewed in the video.

[@thomasgruessmer]

@@AppliedTraining Thank you very much!

[@nightraven312]

I just wanted to get into the Marketing team of any F1 team. I am a graphic designer with 6 years of international exp. so yeahh any help is accepted please

[@Svetty00]

Are you still going to do the upside down F1 car tunnel thing?

[@DanielGarcia-nh1ok]

Sadly i dont think motorsport jobs is my thing... Im an industrial+mechanical engineer, specialised in production management (which is a skill i dont see useful in motorsport) and i got a rather well paying job, with lots of promotion opportunities and not stressful at all. Jumping from this thing to a "riskier" job an far more stressful... I prefer going to local rallies and races in my free time but😂 But who knows, maybe in a few years i want to be part of Campos Racing (the only relevant spanish motorsport brand xddd)

[@nathanwright8477]

Off topic but we're all wondering how the progress is going on project inversion?

[@uniformgeist303]

Nice!

[@michaelwhittaker8219]

How to get a job in Formula 1? 1) Study Motorsport Engineering at Oxford Brookes University (they have miltiple graduates in every single team) 2) Get involved with Formula Student as much as possible 3) Get a bit lucky in the interviews.

[@kaj750]

Unfortunately, I'm a nurse and NONE of the teams use them (I've been checking for over 5 years). 😂

[@gb8628]

Build your network, have good contacts, work for less than you should be doing... Get burnt out, realise you're being taken advantage of, give up on life generally. 😔

[@Jamesfrancosdog]

What happened to the upside down driving thing?

[@sterlynholley7751]

I've talked with a few of the crew guys and they say the pay is shite however!

[@LGP82]

@8:29 and how about making F1 related youtube video's?

[@aquiIa_chrysaetos]

this can work of course, to show how interested you are for the job

[@jaykaygxd8497]

I will only get involved as a driver or not at all

[@giovarnidivanti5273]

Sigma

[@diwakarisonyoutube]

Dayum. Bots infested even before real people. New low for YT.

[@hamza-chaudhry]

Aren't jobs in F1 quite lowly paid for equivalent roles outside F1?

[@Raja_waqas50]

How to apply

[@nittojoe136]

I find it hard to believe that between 10 teams Adrian Newey did 52 interviews

[@NikDonalds]

what can you say for people who maybe stand behind a language barrier? main motorsport works in english, which is not the main language

[@pinkace]

So... work for free as an intern and hope to get noticed and hired. And while you work for free and have no income for months and months and months, maybe eat food out of the trash, sleep and shower in the garage where the cars are, steal clothes, beg on the streets for money... yea great plan man.

[@50SnCan]

Does anyone have an idea what it's like to be a programmer in F1?

[@TheSnarkyBrit]

Know someone already in the industry, or buy your way in. There, I summarized the entire video in 5 seconds.

[@TheChalkedStrat]

I hear there will be some openings at McLaren in the very near future...

[@CapnFlash48]

Dang, I wish I just had the skill and money to become a driver

[@CaveTheJohnsonOfApurture]

the question is how do I get a job in F3?

[@frijoli9579]

Where is the upside down car drive video??

[@olly69z]

Heck, just pay for my accommodation, transport to and from the circuit and meals for a year - i'll clean the mechanics shoes and wash the team trucks if it gets me in the pitlane for a season. (i'll even sleep in the pit garage to save overhead costs)

[@fredhopratama9835]

You change the video thumbnail and title, how about without experience?