Behind each split second pitstop, there is a whole team of skilled engineers and mechanics, trained to act fast and drive results.
Reckon you have what it takes to perform in the fast lane? Find out more about life on the trackside team, here.
What F1 pit crew jobs actually involve
Pit crew jobs in F1 cover far more than the few seconds you see on TV. Across a race weekend, the team is responsible for car build, setup, pit stop performance, spares management, and delivering changes under unpredictable conditions. It’s a role that combines engineering understanding and the ability to stay calm when the pressure revs up.
To understand the day-to-day reality, Ollie Middleton, No.1 Race Team Mechanic, explained how varied and fast-moving the work can be:
“My job is trackside, so all around the world at different garages on different circuits. I’m responsible for the configuration and build of Carlos Sainz’s car. We get the car shipped out in bits and we put it together the same way every week.”
The skills you need for F1 jobs in the pit crew
To make real impact in the race team, you need to bring technical skill, precision and a resilient mindset. But most of all, you need to be able to be collaborative; after all, whether you’re fitting tyres or supporting pre-session setup, you’re part of a team working together to deliver one goal.
Ollie Mitchell, who transitioned from an operations role, highlighted how the race team is a great environment to learn and develop these skills:
“Switching to a race team meant developing a whole new skill set. This has included stock management, freight, logistics, people management and prioritisation of tasks.”
How to get a job in an F1 pit crew
Our pit crew is made up of more than 20 people, all bringing different skills to the table. That means there’s no single route to a role.
For most people joining our team, the key lies in building relevant experience whether that’s at other teams or through education. At Williams, we offer early careers pathways that will also give a structured entry into the industry.
Ollie Middleton came through the Silverstone National College of Motorsport and the junior formulas to gain the education and experience needed. He shared what drove him into the role:
“Word of mouth is what attracted me to Williams. The friendly family feel is very important; if you’re a young person joining a big Formula 1 team you want to feel welcome.”
Ollie Mitchell also dug into his path from operations to trackside:
“Williams as a company is very open to allowing people to explore different opportunities. From my experience, they believe that by allowing people to explore different avenues, they will improve people's skillsets as they gain a wider understanding of the business.”
What life is really like in F1 pit crew jobs
Life on the road during an F1 season is demanding but incredibly rewarding. You travel globally and become a part of our well-oiled machine in different garages each week. Every member of the team contributes to the performance we deliver on track.
Ollie Middleton shared what makes like in the pit crew so exciting:
“The result at the end of the day keeps me going. There’s so many small wins that you can have, so even on a race weekend that isn’t going to plan, achieving a really good pit stop is a boost.”
Fuel our performance in the pit crew
If you’ve got what it takes to shape the future of our team from the trackside, an F1 pit crew job could be your next step. Explore our latest mechanic and engineering jobs today or join our talent community to find your place in the fast lane.
