Dalia Ramos Guerra
Formula Careers takes a look behind the scenes of Alpine F1 Team and meets the inspirational ladies carving out successful careers in Formula 1.
I am Dalia Ramos Guerra, Head of Build and Test in Alpine F1 Team. I am originally from Mexico City and moved to the UK 8 years ago where I have found an exciting career that captivates me day-in day-out and has helped me learn more about myself and my passions.
It has been, so far, my favourite challenge. I feel proud of the Team and my work; it makes me feel excited and motivated to work hard towards our objective. I feel privileged to be part of this amazing family.
Is it an industry you always dreamed of working in?
I always liked cars, I wanted to work making sports or luxurious cars. When I was 5 years old my dad gave me a collectable F1 car and it became “a dream” to be able to develop myself in such a way I could work with them.
What subjects or courses did you study for your role?
I am a Mechatronics Engineer and I have a master’s degree in manufacturing engineering and management. I am a hands-on person and the F1 car is for me the pinnacle of my Engineering studies.
Did you do any work experience or extra curricular activities?
I have always like to have activities that I enjoy outside work/studies. I have always practiced sports and was involved in arts too. Volunteering work with children is something I have always enjoyed in different formats. I got my first part time job as a scholar during the last year of Uni so when I finished, I had a good idea of where I wanted to take my career.
How did you get your role with Alpine F1 Team?
I worked in the aerospace industry before joining F1 and I was looking for my next challenge. I wanted to make sure I worked with a product I felt excited about. I was lucky Alpine was looking for someone with my determination, diverse experience and personality. When I read the role description I literally felt they were talking about me!
Tell us about your role and what a typical day looks like for you
I am in charge of the last stage of the car before it goes to the racetrack. In my department we do the mechanical build (gearbox, hydraulics, suspension, etc), the mechanical tests of components and subsystems and pre-fit and final build. We also coordinate the parts in the factory that come back from the racetrack after the races.
What I love about my role is not only being part of delivering the car but the interactions with the people. I really enjoy working for my team, develop them and making sure they have all the tools to do their best every day. No day is the same for me, I spend a lot of time dealing with other departments to make sure we have the most efficient collaboration and making sure my team have all they need.
What is consistent on my typical day is I would be very busy, I would talk to many different people and I would have a laugh every now and then with the team members.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is that it enables me to be at my best combining the two things I like the most: working with an amazing product and working with and for people. It is so varied I never get bored and I learn new things every day. It really challenges me with the variety of things I must solve every day! And on the weekends, I get to see my effort materialised in an exciting race on the TV! I couldn’t ask for a bigger motivation!
What’s been your biggest challenge so far?
My biggest challenge has been to be far from my family (everyone is in Mexico City) as we are very united. Sometimes I have to remind myself I am a very capable person and I will learn and develop myself as far as I want.
What’s your experience as a woman in Formula 1 been like? Have you faced any particular challenges?
My experience as a woman in Formula 1 is by car more rewarding than challenging. There are very few females in the entire Operations department in Alpine; and only another girl and myself in my department of 45 people. However, I have always had the respect I deserve from all my colleagues in the Team. It motivates me to encourage other girls to look into this career path, and the opportunity of taking part driving the change makes me feel very excited about the legacy I could have. My job could have even a bigger impact!
What’s the best thing you did to get you to where you are today?
It has been a teamwork with my parents educating a girl to trust in herself, to let her know she couled achieve anything she wanted and to teach her to work very hard for her dreams. With that very solid foundation, I have always made sure my work (and studies back in the day) are just excellent and reflect the best of myself. When I fail, I push myself to accept it, learn from it and keep going. I am not shy about how far I want to go and the challenges I take on (even when they require hard work after!). Finally, I make sure that the person I listen to the most is myself and I look to work towards my passions rather than what other people or the society expect from me.
What would you say to younger girls who aspire to work in Formula 1 one day?
I would like to tell them to not only aspire but believe it and believe in themselves. That they should not feel intimidated at any point and to work very hard, maintain their values and work hard again!
Return to Alpine F1 Team Portal
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