FORMULA 1 AERODYNAMICIST
Formula 1 Aerodynamicists are responsible for maximising the cars' performance through shaping their carbon bodywork to create the most downforce with the least drag. We spoke to a McLaren Racing Aerodynamicist to discover what the job really entails and how best to join their ranks.
The job
"There is a variety of roles within the department. We have Aerodynamicists who design the shapes for the car, others who run wind tunnel testing, and another group that is responsible for trackside support. In addition, Aerodynamicists work on computer simulation with CFD [computational fluid dynamics]. However, people also move between these various roles."
First steps
"Most people need to have A-Levels - or an international equivalent - in Maths and Physics, and will have shown an interest and aptitude in both from an early age, as well as have an interest in cars and aircraft. Aerodynamicists tend to be people who have a precise logical approach, are good with numbers and able to think on their feet. It's important that they can go through a set of data logically and work out what's going on with it."
What qualifications would I need?
"A university degree in either Aeronautical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering is the most common qualification. We look for people who have a strong personal interest in aerodynamics - who have read around the subject over and above what they've been taught at university. We also recommend that graduates get involved with motorsports project work.
Where would I start?
The entry point is usually to join the Company as a wind tunnel engineer. We look for graduates who are technically very able and have some knowledge, but in general you only pick up the really useful knowledge you need once you start the job here. And the fastest way to do that is to be in the wind tunnel. You see a large number of parts coming through and rapidly get a feel for how things work on the car. I joined the team in 2001, went straight into the wind tunnel, and was responsible for carrying out tests and interpreting the results. After a period of time in the wind tunnel, you'd be gradually integrated into the design office. Then, as you became more senior, you'd tend to specialise more on the design side of things and only occasionally spend time doing wind tunnel testing. That's how it's worked out for me. I'm now spending my time designing and developing parts for a number of different areas of the car.
Formula 1 Aerodynamicists are responsible for maximising the cars' performance through shaping their carbon bodywork to create the most downforce with the least drag. We spoke to a McLaren Racing Aerodynamicist to discover what the job really entails and how best to join their ranks.
The job
"There is a variety of roles within the department. We have Aerodynamicists who design the shapes for the car, others who run wind tunnel testing, and another group that is responsible for trackside support. In addition, Aerodynamicists work on computer simulation with CFD [computational fluid dynamics]. However, people also move between these various roles."
First steps
"Most people need to have A-Levels - or an international equivalent - in Maths and Physics, and will have shown an interest and aptitude in both from an early age, as well as have an interest in cars and aircraft. Aerodynamicists tend to be people who have a precise logical approach, are good with numbers and able to think on their feet. It's important that they can go through a set of data logically and work out what's going on with it."
What qualifications would I need?
"A university degree in either Aeronautical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering is the most common qualification. We look for people who have a strong personal interest in aerodynamics - who have read around the subject over and above what they've been taught at university. We also recommend that graduates get involved with motorsports project work.
Where would I start?
The entry point is usually to join the Company as a wind tunnel engineer. We look for graduates who are technically very able and have some knowledge, but in general you only pick up the really useful knowledge you need once you start the job here. And the fastest way to do that is to be in the wind tunnel. You see a large number of parts coming through and rapidly get a feel for how things work on the car. I joined the team in 2001, went straight into the wind tunnel, and was responsible for carrying out tests and interpreting the results. After a period of time in the wind tunnel, you'd be gradually integrated into the design office. Then, as you became more senior, you'd tend to specialise more on the design side of things and only occasionally spend time doing wind tunnel testing. That's how it's worked out for me. I'm now spending my time designing and developing parts for a number of different areas of the car.
