Michael Beard

Race Mechanic, Formula 1 Team

What is your name and job title?

Michael Beard  – #2 Race Mechanic

 

What do you do in your job?

Trackside sub assembly; building wings, brakes and dampers for the cars. Also work all round the car during running sessions and flap adjust in pit stops.

 

What did you want to be when you were younger?

Didn’t realise I wanted to work in F1 until I was about 16, when I started my motorsport engineering course at Brooklands college. I wasn’t really sure of what I wanted to be when I grew up, but my stepdad played a big influence in where I am today, as he has always been a huge F1 fan.

 

What’s the best thing about your job?

Everyone has an opinion that working in F1 must be the most glamorous job available, but it is a lot of hours, and you see a lot of airports, hotels and racetracks. But the feeling of your car finishing the race with a good result makes it all worthwhile. I’d also say that one of the best parts of the job are the friendships and camaraderie you make with your colleagues. In the 6 years I have been in F1 I have made friendships for life. The best thing to come from my job, is that I actually met my wife at an event and we haven’t looked back since.

 

What subjects and courses did you take?

I took pretty standard GCSE subjects, luckily I enjoyed science and maths which made my college course a lot easier. I studied BTEC National Diploma in Motorsport Engineering at Brooklands College, which was a 2 year course. I was then offered a fantastic opportunity at McLaren Racing – 2 year apprenticeship in their model shop, which I completed, and stayed with them for a further 2 years before moving to Haas.

 

Did you do any work experience?

During year 11 I completed work experience in a couple of garages as I knew I wanted to work on cars if not in motorsport. Then whilst at college I spent 3 weeks with Carlin Racing to gain more experience. I loved every minute of my work experience, learning everything I could about racing from the short period I was there. Which for sure helped set me up with my apprenticeship.

 

What has been your biggest challenge?

Personally my biggest challenge was adapting to the travelling life style and workload of being in the pit lane. It took a little while to adjust to, and I don’t think your body truly ever gets used to it.

 

What other jobs did you have before your current role?

I worked with McLaren from 2011-2015. I was a model maker with them, which involved building the wind tunnel models and then working on them in the tunnel. Started in the tunnel in Woking and then McLaren started using TMG’s facilities in Germany. So I would spend 2 weeks every month working in Cologne. I also spend a small amount of time with their race team at the start of 2015.

I started at Haas in December of 2015 as ‘UK Parts Coordinator’ as I had spent the last 4 years of my life travelling and fancied some time at home. I then moved to ‘Trackside Parts Coordinator’ with them from Barcelona race in 2016 and then at the end of 2016 became ‘#2 Mechanic’ for them. Admittedly I did miss travelling whilst I was based in the UK hence why I went back trackside mid-season.

 

What was the best thing you ever did to help you get to where you are today?

The best thing I ever did was keep my head down at college and produce the best work I could. I had heard of potential scouting from Brooklands College for McLaren, so I always had this in the back of my mind and made sure that I worked hard and that I was personable. It worked when I got a phone call in the summer asking if I wanted to go for an interview and work trial with them.

 

What would you say to your younger self?

Work harder in secondary school as knowledge is everything, but when you’re 13-16 you don’t think about that at all.

 

What would you say to inspire someone to follow their dreams?

Opportunities are out there, you have to make yourself known and also build a name for yourself. Never give up on what your dreams are, although you may get knocked back a couple of times, you will make it if you fully commit yourself. Nothing is impossible!

 

Any other comments or advice?

F1 is a relentless and ruthless business, first of all you need to be 100% sure you want to enter it. It will be tough and you will have to adjust the way you think, the way you live, the way you work. It is an environment like no other. With this being said, it is completely worth it for the rewards you receive out of it. F1 will also be able to offer you jobs for life!

It is very easy to get pigeonholed into a specific area but keep your mind open and learn as much as you can along the way. Take it from my experience, this is my 7th year in F1 and I have performed 5 different roles over my time, along with all sorts of extra training courses, just constantly adding experience and “strings to my bow”. There is no substitute for knowledge and experience in F1.

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