At Atlassian Williams Racing, diversity matters. We believe the best results come from combining our talents and perspectives, and diverse thinking is pushing us back to the top.
The rise of women in Formula 1 has been one of the most exciting shifts in the sport. Thanks in part to popular programming, female interest in Formula 1 has soared in recent years. Women now account for 41% of fans and over 30% of the F1 workforce. We’re proud to be a team where female engineers thrive, grow, and make real impact.
To shine a spotlight on those who are driving our success, we sat down with some of our incredible women in F1 to hear their stories.
Meet the women engineering Formula 1
We see change as an opportunity. Our diverse team is living proof of this, bringing unique perspectives to fuel our success on and off the track.
Women in early careers
Starting a career in Formula 1 is an exciting journey, and we’re opening doors for the next generation of female engineers to shape the future. Women are under represented in STEM fields, and our early careers programmes break down barriers.
We met with some of our early careers success stories who kickstarted their careers with us.
Emma Bilsby, Spares Coordinator
Emma joined Williams in September 2020 on a business graduate placement, rotating around four areas of the business before becoming a parts coordinator.
“Williams’ heritage was a big factor in my decision to come here, and since I’ve been here, it’s like a big family, which I don’t think is that common elsewhere. My advice to a student wanting to do my job is to just go for it and don’t listen to anyone who says you can’t do it. Get any kind of work experience to help you figure out what to do.”
Chloe Bricknall, Model Maker
Chloe joined the Aerodynamics department in November 2020 as an apprentice in the model shop, straight after completing her A-Levels. She’s honed her skills in all aspects of wind tunnel model manufacture and testing and has now joined the team as a full-time model maker.
“It's not an easy task to choose a career path at such a young age; however, I always knew I wanted to work within motorsport, and Formula 1 was my aim. My advice is to never give up on your dreams, as absolutely anything is possible if you put your mind to it and work hard enough.”
Christina Sullivan, Wind Tunnel Engineer
Christina was drawn into Formula 1 watching Drive to Survive in her native Canada, successfully applying for a placement at Williams after researching F1 for her dissertation. After a successful year she was hired full time as a wind tunnel engineer in October 2023.
“The reason I came back full time was because I had such an enjoyable time on my placement. I loved my team; I loved what I was working on and being in an environment where 1,000 people are working on two cars. It’s the perfect place to learn and develop my skills.”
Inspired? Check out our early careers opportunities and take your career into the fast lane.
Mentorship for female drivers in the F1 academy
Lia Block joined the Driver Academy in November 2023 as a 17-year-old, making the transition from rallying to single seater racing to compete in F1 Academy. Fresh from winning the 2023 American Rally Association Open 2WD class – and becoming the youngest champion in the series’ history – Lia is being mentored by fellow Williams driver Jamie Chadwick.
We spoke to Jamie and Lia to find out more about their dynamic.
Jamie Chadwick, F1 Academy Adviser
“The mentoring role is something I’ve really enjoyed doing as it’s part of bringing in the next generation of female talent. It feels very fitting that I can support Lia. I’ve been able to give her guidance through my own experiences and help her make the transition across to single seaters. There’s a huge influx of female talent now coming through, and I really want to make sure Williams can be at the forefront to ensure we can develop and nurture the next female Formula 1 driver."
Lia Block
“It’s amazing to have Jamie as not only my mentor, but also as a friend. It’s comforting to be able to talk with her about the experiences I’m having in my race career because I know she’s been through the same path. It’s also incredible that she is a strong female making her way in a competitive field which makes me feel even more inspired and hopeful for the future.”
What’s the best thing about working in Formula 1?
For Chloe Ward, senior spares co-ordinator, the doors that are being opened for females in engineering ranks in pole position.
“Other than obviously Williams, I think the best thing about Formula 1 at the moment is the amount of females we’ve got coming into the sport, especially the people that work in it.”
For Megan Clarkson, design manager, the supportive community where everyone’s welcome makes Atlassian Williams Racing a great place to build a career.
“I have a few favorite moments! One standout would be when we got our first points, and we drove in to be welcomed by banners saying, ‘well done’, and they said what points were achieved. I actually managed to get hold of a banner, so yeah, definitely celebrating the wins is always a great memory.
My favourite event has always been Silverstone, and now we get to go as a family for the weekend, so that’s always a moment I look forward to.”
Explore jobs for female engineers
We celebrate women in engineering. By welcoming diverse talent, we create a dynamic environment where everyone can thrive. If you’re inspired by these stories, we’d love to hear from you.
Ready to unleash your potential? Check out our latest engineering jobs.
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