F1 Industrial Placement Guide: How to Land a Placement Year in Formula 1

Thinking about doing your university placement year in F1?

Formula 1 internships and industrial placements are some of the most exciting and competitive opportunities in motorsport. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know — from timelines and tips to what F1 teams are really looking for.

What Is an Industrial Placement in F1?

An industrial placement (sometimes called a sandwich year or year in industry) is a structured, paid opportunity for university students to gain hands-on experience in the real world — in this case, with a Formula 1 team.

These placements usually last 12 months and form part of a degree programme.

Which F1 Teams Offer Industrial Placements?

Most of the top teams run internship programmes every year. While availability changes slightly each season, these are some of the usual suspects:

  • McLaren Racing

  • Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team

  • Red Bull Racing

  • Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

  • Alpine F1 Team

  • Atlassian Williams Racing

  • Visa Cash App RB

Each team runs their placement slightly differently, but many roles fall into categories like Engineering, Aerodynamics, IT, Software, Marketing, or Business Operations.

When Do F1 Internship Applications Open?

The majority of Formula 1 internship applications open between September and November — often a full year in advance of the placement starting.

For example, roles for a July 2026 start date might open as early as September 2025. So you’ll need to be organised.

FC Tip: Keep a spreadsheet of opening dates, deadlines, and required documents. Many students miss out simply because they apply too late. Be sure to check our Jobs in F1 page, and the F1 Teams pages for the latest information on placements.

What F1 Internships Are Available?

  • Aerodynamics Placement Student

  • Electronics or Software Intern

  • Trackside Engineering Intern

  • Composite Materials Intern

  • Commercial or Marketing Placement

  • Finance or HR Industrial Placement

Some placements rotate across departments. Others are deeply specialised. Always read the job description carefully.

Who Can Apply for an F1 Industrial Placement?

  • You must be enrolled in a relevant undergraduate degree, usually in engineering, science, maths, computer science, business, or similar

  • You’ll usually need to be on track for a 2:1 or higher

  • Most roles are open to students in their penultimate year (i.e. have one full year left at University after a year on a placement)

Some teams also welcome applications from non-traditional backgrounds or students taking a gap year between studies.

 

What Do F1 Teams Look for in Placement Students?

F1 teams value students who:

  • Have genuine passion for motorsport
  • Can communicate and collaborate well with others
  • Show evidence of problem-solving and initiative
  • Are comfortable using technical tools or software (e.g. MATLAB, CAD, Python)
  • Have completed personal projects (e.g. Formula Student, sim racing setups, mechanical builds, blogs, YouTube channels etc)

    How to Boost Your Chances

      • Start early: Prepare your CV, cover letter, and get feedback before applications open

      • Tailor every application: Reference the team’s culture and values in your cover letter

      • Get experience: Join Formula Student, take on engineering side projects, or volunteer at motorsport events

      • Use LinkedIn: Connect with current or past F1 interns and placement students

      • Practise interviews: Expect competency and technical questions. Some teams use video interviews or assessment centre

    Where to Find F1 Placement Listings

    You can find live and upcoming F1 internships and industrial placements right here on Formula Careers when they open:

    Other good sources include:

    • Team careers pages (e.g. Red Bull Racing, McLaren Racing)

    • Gradcracker

    • LinkedIn Jobs

    • MotorsportJobs.com

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