Students at West Bromwich Collegiate Academy were visited by Matthew Orton, Junior Race Team Support Technician at the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, as part of a careers-focused session exploring engineering and motorsport pathways.
Orton spoke to year 9 and year 10 students about his route into Formula One and the skills required to work in elite motorsport engineering. He outlined the range of technical and collaborative roles involved in supporting a team competing at the highest level of racing.
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, based at Technology Centres in Brackley and Brixworth, designs, develops and races cars in the FIA Formula One World Championship, which spans multiple continents and up to 24 races across a season.
Associate Principal, Hannah Percival, commented: “Visits like this help make careers in engineering and motorsport feel more tangible for students. Hearing directly from someone working in Formula One shows them how the subjects they study in school are applied in a highly competitive industry. It gives context to their learning and helps them understand the kinds of pathways that are open to them.”
During the visit, students examined components from Formula One cars, including a skid block from George Russell’s winning vehicle and a wheel nut from Lewis Hamilton’s race car. The artefacts were used to demonstrate the precision engineering behind the sport.
Students asked questions about race preparation, performance and the demands of competing in Formula One, engaging directly with topics linked to strategy and engineering at the highest level.
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team is one of the most successful in the sport’s history, with multiple Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships in recent seasons.
