It’s a big day here at jobinf1.com. Or at least for me personally.
As I explained in my last post, I’ve been writing a book for over a year, aiming to get down in words all of my best advice on getting a job in Formula 1. I was hoping it would just take me a few months at most but it has taken much, much longer than I anticipated.
“How To Get A Job In Grand Prix Racing” was published this morning on Amazon as a Kindle e-book and is the final result of all of those months of hard work. As the saying goes, there is a book in everybody and this is probably mine so quite a big day for me on a personal level at least.
For those of you familiar with the blog here at jobinf1.com, the style is very similar but the big difference between blog and book is that the book as the structure and logical order that the blog lacks. I hope that you will be able to pick up the book and follow it from beginning to end and learn stage by stage how I think you can best go about getting a job in F1.
The book covers everything from a day in the life of Formula One to the people in it and the jobs that they do. I’ve used the idea of a fictional team called Ladbrooke F1 to describe what goes on within the day to day business and how that team goes about finding its staff and recruiting its new people. The book also stretches well beyond Formula 1 and tries to show where vital opportunities to get a foot in the door of the motorsport industry can be found if only you know where to look.
I’ve tried to use my own background as an example, coming from a family with no history or connection to motorsport, describing some of the mistakes I made but also some of the vital advice and lessons that I have picked up along the way. There are sections on school, university, work placements, apprenticeships and gaining vital experience outside of the classroom that will be recognised and respected by Formula 1 recruiters. I have also included links to other vital resources, companies and people to follow who can be of use as you begin your search.
Amazon has a great feature which allows you a peak inside with the contents page and several of the opening chapters being readable directly on their website. Feel free to go and take a look and let me know what you think. You don’t need a Kindle device to read it either as Kindle reader apps are available for free for any PC, tablet, Apple or Android device One of the great things about the e-book format is that it can be updated and improved over time very easily.
Getting a job in Formula 1 is never easy and I am not going to pretend that you can pick up this book and be on a plane to Monaco the very next weekend. If only life were that simple. What I do hope however is that I’ve been able to take away some of the mystery, explain how the industry works and bring the possibility of Formula 1 a lot closer than it’s been before. This is my best effort, my knowledge of the industry laid bare and my best advice to you in one place. I can’t give you a job in Formula 1 but I can give you a good head start and I hope this book can be you startline for a successful career in Grand Prix racing.
Oh, and one more thing if I may. If you do decide to get the book and especially if you enjoy it and feel it has helped you in your journey to Formula 1 I would love to hear back from you. It’s still very difficult for independent authors such as myself to be discovered and so a good review on Amazon is worth its weight in gold to let others find the book and to spread the word. It would mean a great deal to me if you could leave a few words there if you have enjoyed reading the book. Thank you and best of luck for your future.
19 thoughts on “How To Get A Job In Grand Prix Racing is now published”
Wow!!! I have had a horrible morning but you just made my day. I have been reading your blog for some time now and it has been a great help to me. Especially because I am from Ghana where most people do not know a thing about motorsport. I am very sure the book will be a bestseller telling from the popularity if this website. Thanks.
Sorry to hear about your morning but so glad you like the book. I hope it’s useful for you and thanks so much for the kind comment. Means a lot to me to know that people appreciate the site
Congratulations! I joined the mailing list some time but sadly haven’t been able to follow all your posts as closely as I want. The world Formula 1 is truly magical. Watching it on the telly as a young child who only recognised the name Senna and watching it now as an adult that remember nearly all the drivers and teams both inspire the same longing and excitement.
I truly wish I could join you in this amazing world of grand prix racing. Cheers!
Maybe you still can! Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it Terry
Many Congratulations on the publication of your book sir. I have been waiting for this new blog notification about your book for a long time now. I will definitely buy it. Your blogs have really helped a great deal to me. I have already taken a few steps towards my dream largely with the help of your guidance. Thank You for all the help sir. 🙂
However I have a few questions that I would want to ask if I may. Hoping to hear from you.
Regards
Mihir
Thanks Mihir.
Ask away !!
Thank You Sir.
If I can give you my background before asking the questions, I am a mechanical engineer from Bangalore, India. I have a 3.5 years of experience working on CAD for a locomotive industry (which I know is not Motorsports or Racing in any way but I can handle CAD modelling very well). I am presently pursuing a Masters Degree in Product Development and I am working for my Masters Dissertation on Aerodynamics of Formula 1 Wheels. And Like I said, I have been greatly influenced in my career planning from your blogs. And thanks to your advices I applied and now have received an offer for MSc Motorsports Engineering in Oxford Brookes University. I will be joining Oxford Brookes University in September. Also, I am a student at a motorcycle racing school and they have recently agreed to take me as a volunteer assistant in their racing team pit crew until September.
My questions are as follows:
1. I really hope the homework or preparation that I am doing are on the right path and would like to know if my work experience will help. I would love to work on Vehicle Dynamics. Please do tell me if I am doing the right things.
2. I am sorry that I am repeating this question. I saw that you had answered a similar one in an earlier blog. But being from India I am pretty sure to face a few problems to acquire the visa due to the immigration rules. You did mention that the teams were willing to sponsor our visa if we prove our talent. I am ready to prove my mettle in terms of talent and skills but my nationality should not be a deterrent for my career ambitions. I have heard rumors that recruiters summarily reject CVs from Non EU applicants even before their skills are scrutinized. So am I taking a very huge risk with this ambition and this course?
3. Suppose that in a worst case scenario I do not get a job in UK, what are my options then? What are the options to be explored in other European countries like WRC, and Sports Car Racing etc. for example? Can I apply for Industries in USA like NASCAR or INDYCAR with a degree from UK? I am very much ready to work for any other motorsport as much as I want to work in F1. In fact, personally I would love to work on motorcycles more than cars. So what are the prospects with MotoGP, WSBK and related bike races?
I am sorry if those were too many questions. I do hope that you understand my predicament here. I am doing all that is in my reach to make myself ready for this goal but I am genuinely worried about the Immigration Rule of UK.
Hi Mihir
Thanks for your question and dont worry about the length of your comment. It’s good to have some more considered questions
First,y the Msc at Brookes is a great choice. There will be some great lessons and industry contacts there.
The immigration rules are tough there is no doubt and always a hot topic in our politics. The biggest issue is normally unskilled migrants who settle here and do not contribute to the economy but I beleive the government are still of the belief that skilled migrants can be a welcoming contribution.
I must admit I do not know the rules 100% and they differ depending on what country you come from. Of the people I know who work in F1 from outside of the EU, several are Australian, American, Japenese, Canadian and Indian. It definitely can be done.
Most of the above have studied in the UK or worked in Motorsport in their home country. The latter is more difficult for you(although not impossible) but you are doing the right thing for the former.
What are the chance? I don’t know, it’s very hard to answer but look well beyond F1 if you are serious about this. I must admit from the way you describe your ideas and ambitions you seem very switched on to what is necessary and very capable. This is great so I would say you are already heading n the right direction. I don’t know what the U.S. Immigration rules for Indians are but I started my career there believe it or not (I needed a visa and a sponsor) and it hasn’t done me any harm!
MotoGP and WSBK are a great deal less contested for jobs than F1 so it should be a good possibility for you.
In short I would use your course and the contacts you make through that as much as you can and see what comes up. If at first you don’t succeed then keep trying and something should come up.
Sorry I can’t give you a better answer than that but I think you are well suited to this business from what you’ve said and are heading the right direction.
Best of luck!
Thank you for your suggestions sir. I really appreciate it. And I am sorry but i was just a little over anxious.
And i understand your limitations. But what you have told me is really more than helpful. So many thanks for it. I will be joining the University this September. So hope all turns out well. I will work on the things you told me.
Thank you once again.
Mihir
I am sorry.. maybe my question was way too long. I did not mean to bother you actually. But some information about Motorcycle Racing Jobs would really help. You dont have to answer the rest of them. I just went on asking everything because you are the only source of information for me. Sorry once again..
Not at all. I just need to find some time to consider my answer. Please bear with me and I’ll get back to you!
I am sorry.. Maybe i asked a little too much. I beg your pardon. Its just that you are the only source of information for me so i went on asking everything i had in mind. If you could, please advise on the motorcycle racing prospects i have in UK and also outside UK..
Sorry once again. I did not mean to bother you unnecessarily.
Mihir
congratulations you made it, looking forward to buying it
Thanks Deepak
My life ambishun is bike racing pllll gve a chance sir
I can’t give you a job but please read my site and consider the advice there. It should be relevant for bike racing too
Dear Jobinf1,
I see so many people out here on this website, in the formula student teams and on blogs etc. they are all trying to get a job in f1. there are just so many people for not so many jobs in f1. How likely is it that i can get a job in f1!? I am now 17 years old and within a month I have to decide to wich university I want to go. I can either go for a save career path in petroleum engineering (boring but well paid) or I can choose for aerospace engineering. I hope that aerospace engineering will give me a job in f1. My main worries are that so many people want to get job into f1. I sometimes think there are just so many people in the world all trying to get these jobs, i might as wel choose a save career path with less uncertainty.
thanks for all you advise!
sorry for bad english
Hi Ammit
I wish I could answer your question but I can’t I’m afraid.
Getting a job in F1 is difficult, there is no doubt. I can’t guarantee anything sadly.
What you can guarantee however is that if you don’t try them you have no chance whatsoever. When I started my search I wouldn’t entertain the idea that I couldn’t get involved even though many people told me to stop being silly and get a safe job instead. I don’t hear much from those people anymore…
If you are not sure and are worried by it then maybe that’s your answer. You need to be committed to this so perhaps it’s not for you. Only you can know and can drive yourself to a goal. Anything worthwhile will be hotly contested so you have to be prepared for competition and to fight for what you want.
I hope that helps you decide
Hi,
Thank you very much for your quick reply!
This advise will definitely help me.
I am going to read your new book and after that I will make a decision. You give me motivation to fight for what i want!
Regards
Ammit
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