Student Placement Checklist (2025)

F1 Student Placement Checklist (2025)

Getting a placement in Formula 1 is incredibly competitive, but with a bit of organisation you can give yourself a real edge. Use this checklist to get everything in place before the applications open.

Bookmark this page and the 2025 F1 Placements Hub — we update daily.

1) Core documents

  • CV tailored to motorsport (relevant projects, tools, results).
  • Cover letter template you can customise per team.
  • Academic transcript or predicted grades (some teams request this).

2) Research prep

  • List of all F1 teams with expected opening dates and deadlines.
  • Know the application platforms (Workday, Taleo, team portals).
  • Saved links: careers portals + the FC Placements Hub.

3) Skills & evidence

  • Teamwork and problem-solving examples (projects, comps, Formula Student).
  • Hands-on technical work (CAD models, coding repos, lab work, test data).
  • Any motorsport exposure (volunteering, karting, marshaling, uni racing).

4) Application strategy

  • Apply early — roles often close when enough applications arrive.
  • Check eligibility (right to work, placement length, course requirements).
  • Track every application in a simple spreadsheet (date, status, contact).

5) Interview prep

  • Competency practice: pressure, conflict, leadership, learning from mistakes.
  • Brush up on the basics relevant to your target role (e.g. CAD, MATLAB, Python, Excel).
  • Your story: why motorsport, why this team, why this role.

6) Professional presence

  • LinkedIn headline e.g. “Motorsport Engineering Student | Seeking Placement 2025”.
  • Clean, consistent profiles (teams do check).
  • Follow teams, engineers, and recruiters; engage thoughtfully.

7) Mindset & organisation

  • Don’t compare — focus on your strengths and progress.
  • Block weekly time for applications and follow-ups.
  • Treat each application as practice; your quality improves every time.

Final tip: Most teams release placements between September and October. If you’re ready now, you’ll be first off the line when they open.

Next steps