Jessica
I’ve always had an interest in Formula 1 and the different racing series’. While my granddad was a Moto GP fan and rode motorbikes, I’m the first person in my family to want to get into the industry as a career.
I looked at the National College for Motorsport after my GCSEs, but with no engineering or mechanical experience at the time, I wasn’t sure what to study. I got some work experience at an Aston Martin Garage and went on to complete A-Levels in Maths, Physics and Design Technology.
All of this gave me a good head start for College, because I can apply the theory to many areas of motorsport. For instance, there is a lot of physics involved in the working of engines. I enjoy all the workshop practicals, particularly being able to work on one seater cars that you wouldn’t ordinarily have access to.
The lecturers here realise that not everyone has grown up in mechanical families surrounded by cars and they are more than happy to go over things more than once if you don’t understand something. They’re very approachable and will happily give you one to one time.
I’ve completed about 150 hours of work experience. I started my first placement before College to give me a head start. That was with the F3 team, Lanan Racing, who I was based with two days a week. When College started there was an opportunity to work with Team Parker Racing at the Porsche Carrera Cup at Silverstone, which I was put forward for by my lecturers. The team then invited me back to do Brands Hatch with them as well. I’ve also done a week with Carlin who are one of the largest teams outside of Formula 1.
My ultimate career goal is to work for Formula 1 as a Number One Mechanic. It’s the pinnacle of motorsport and the technology and evolution that comes out of it is the highest you can get. I would love to experience that.
