How to get a job in F1: Front End Mechanic Michael Beard
'How can I get a job in Formula One?' The question you've been asking yourself, your friends – even the internet. You love the glitz, the glamour, the cutting-edge innovation and the edge of the seat thrills of F1 and you can't get enough of Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team's behind-the-scenes videos that show off their drivers, the race circuit and their team members. Does this sound like you? Good, then you're in the right place.
From aerodynamics to content creation, from precision engineering to HR, Formula One offers a huge range of career paths. Whatever your skillset, Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team offers an opportunity for staff to develop while working at the very pinnacle of motorsport.
In the second part of our new editorial series, we speak to one of the stars of INSIDER from this season, Lance Stroll's Front End Mechanic, Michael Beard, who discusses the importance of communication, trust and responsibility in his journey to Formula One.
It’s a privilege to work with Aston Martin and I’m very proud to work for such a prestigious team.
Ironically, I haven't always been a big fan of motorsport. My parents and grandparents have always followed it, but when I was younger, I was drawn to football, rugby and cricket. I didn't have much of an interest in Formula One, but I did have an interest in cars and I started working on them with my stepdad when I was 12 years old.
When I finished school at 16 I found a car mechanics course at Brooklands College in Surrey but at an open day, I found out that they had a motorsport-specific class as well. I applied, got accepted and that was my way into motorsport. That was when I first started thinking that I could make it to F1.
After two years at college I was very lucky to get selected for a two-year apprenticeship with McLaren in their Model Shop. I ended up staying there for four years and I then joined Haas in their first season in F1 before the opportunity arose to work with Team Silverstone.
Careers
The Aston Martin era represents the beginning of a new journey for us, but the focus is always on improving performance and delivering results. With fresh investment and energy, the stage is set to build on Aston Martin's rich history in motorsport and establish Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team as a competitive force in the years ahead. To succeed on this mission, the team is looking for talented individuals who share our passion for racing and hunger for competition.
In F1 it's good to keep your career fresh, firstly so you always enjoy it but secondly so you're always gaining experience. I haven't looked back since joining Team Silverstone because I was allowed to challenge myself professionally which is something I love to do.
I was originally a Rear End Mechanic but moved over to the Front End role when I started working with Lance. I look after everything on the front end of the car and working so closely with Lance is something I've enjoyed.
I'm the last person he has an interaction with before he gets into the car and I also fasten his seatbelts before he leaves the garage. It's quite a personal thing and there's a lot of trust involved which is built up over time. He needs to trust that I'm doing everything correctly and because of that, we have a good relationship which I appreciate.
How to prepare a Formula One car for a race
Join us as we follow Lance Stroll's Front End Mechanic, Michael Beard, and his counterpart on Sebastian Vettel's car, Matt Watson, to discover the crucial role they play in a Grand Prix event.
Alongside the base knowledge and mechanical understanding, you need to be able to work under pressure and you need to build your personality and work ethic so you’re never impacted by outside circumstances. Communication and trust are essential because you have to work efficiently and effectively. You can't do everything by yourself, it's just not possible.
When everything comes together, it's a very rewarding feeling. Nothing beats a result on Sunday and there’s no substitute for it. When we fight through the field for points or finish on the podium, the excitement is incredible. It's just the most rewarding thing there is.
It's a privilege to work with Aston Martin because the brand is so strong and vivid. Everyone knows what Aston Martin is and what Aston Martin stands for. I'm very proud to work for such a prestigious team.
Communication and trust are essential because you have to work efficiently and effectively.
Tips:
If you want to work in F1, you need to be confident. You need to be confident in yourself and confident in your abilities and that can take you a long way. I chose the route of studying but you can also get to F1 by working feeder series such as Formula Two, Three or even Formula Four.
It puts you in a good stead but the most important thing is to build as much experience as possible.
Thanks to Front End Mechanic, Michael Beard, for making his mark with the team and for telling us his story to help others find a job in Formula One: #IAM
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