TEAM TRANSPORTER DRIVER
Race car Transporter Drivers are part of the team responsible for getting Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' race cars to each grand prix. In paddock parlance they are referred to as 'truckies', but there's more to the job than just driving...
The job
"For every European race, a fleet of Mercedes-Benz transporters leaves the McLaren Technology Centre with the combined load of everything the team needs for a race weekend. There are two drivers per transporter and the one I drive with my transporter partner carries the race cars. As such, we're always the last truck to leave Woking for the circuit. Delivering the team's three Formula 1 cars is a huge responsibility, but it's a big privilege, too. Once we arrive at the track, we park the transporters - we line them up to tolerances of a few millimetres - and then we wash and polish them so they look pristine. We also deliver the cars to the airport for flyaways and pick them up when they return."
How did you get started at McLaren?
"I joined the company in November 1996 when I was 18, and started out working in the warehouse for McLaren Automotive, which was building the F1 road car at the time. In 2000, I moved to work for McLaren Marketing, which involved preparing the show cars for exhibits and getting together merchandise for hospitality. When we won both Formula 1 titles in '98, it really inspired me to want to work with the race team. I thought it would be hard to get into, but after three years with Marketing, I was given the opportunity to join the Race Team Transport department."
How has your role developed?
"I first worked as a van driver for the team, which involved transporting components around the UK and also supporting deliveries to and from European races. I did that for three years before the Transport Manager suggested I try for my HGV licence. The company put me through the training, and once I'd passed I joined the test team for six months."|
What are the main qualities you need?
"You certainly need to be flexible in your time. We're regulated in terms of the hours we can spend driving, but you should be prepared to put in long days - it's certainly not nine to five. It's also important to have pride in your work. For me, that's reflected in how meticulously we maintain the transporters. Other truck drivers we meet are amazed at how clean they always are. The driving itself is actually less stressful than a van because we're speed-restricted so it's more of a cruise! As in most jobs, you need to be prepared to continue learning and I couldn't have done this without my transporter partner. He's very experienced and has taught me a lot in this first season. His advice on things like reversing, routes and logistics has been invaluable."
Race car Transporter Drivers are part of the team responsible for getting Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' race cars to each grand prix. In paddock parlance they are referred to as 'truckies', but there's more to the job than just driving...
The job
"For every European race, a fleet of Mercedes-Benz transporters leaves the McLaren Technology Centre with the combined load of everything the team needs for a race weekend. There are two drivers per transporter and the one I drive with my transporter partner carries the race cars. As such, we're always the last truck to leave Woking for the circuit. Delivering the team's three Formula 1 cars is a huge responsibility, but it's a big privilege, too. Once we arrive at the track, we park the transporters - we line them up to tolerances of a few millimetres - and then we wash and polish them so they look pristine. We also deliver the cars to the airport for flyaways and pick them up when they return."
How did you get started at McLaren?
"I joined the company in November 1996 when I was 18, and started out working in the warehouse for McLaren Automotive, which was building the F1 road car at the time. In 2000, I moved to work for McLaren Marketing, which involved preparing the show cars for exhibits and getting together merchandise for hospitality. When we won both Formula 1 titles in '98, it really inspired me to want to work with the race team. I thought it would be hard to get into, but after three years with Marketing, I was given the opportunity to join the Race Team Transport department."
How has your role developed?
"I first worked as a van driver for the team, which involved transporting components around the UK and also supporting deliveries to and from European races. I did that for three years before the Transport Manager suggested I try for my HGV licence. The company put me through the training, and once I'd passed I joined the test team for six months."|
What are the main qualities you need?
"You certainly need to be flexible in your time. We're regulated in terms of the hours we can spend driving, but you should be prepared to put in long days - it's certainly not nine to five. It's also important to have pride in your work. For me, that's reflected in how meticulously we maintain the transporters. Other truck drivers we meet are amazed at how clean they always are. The driving itself is actually less stressful than a van because we're speed-restricted so it's more of a cruise! As in most jobs, you need to be prepared to continue learning and I couldn't have done this without my transporter partner. He's very experienced and has taught me a lot in this first season. His advice on things like reversing, routes and logistics has been invaluable."
