We asked some questions to Nicole Bearne, former Head of Internal Communications at Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, who spoke about her career and gave some advice to those who have an interest in working in Formula 1.
Q: What brought about your interest in Formula 1?
I didn’t set out to work in F1 initially. I used to watch the races on TV with my Dad when I was growing up, but I never saw it as a possible career opportunity. I wasn’t a mechanic or an engineer! I studied Russian and International Relations at University and, after spending a few years working in Russia, I got a job with a Russian oil company in London. One day in 1994 my boss asked me to arrange a trip for him and some of his business associates to the British GP. I went along with them, watched Damon Hill win the race, and I was hooked.
Q: Can you give a brief summary about how your career in Formula 1 began?
I went back to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix in 1995 and 1996, each time becoming more of a fan. Then at the end of 1997, the Russian company I was working for closed down and I was made redundant. Early in January 1998, I turned to the job section of a London newspaper to take a look at possible job opportunities. There I found an advert that changed my life. A newly formed Formula One racing team called British American Racing was looking for a Personal Assistant to support the Team Principal. I applied knowing that there would be huge competition, so needless to say I was over the moon when I got the call to say they wanted me to do the job.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to someone with the goal of working in motorsport?
Stand out from the crowd…
The first question to ask yourself as you think about applying for any role (in motorsport or any other industry) is “What makes me different?” Why is a recruiter going to be interested in you, above all the other candidates? If you have done the same things as every other applicant, your CV won’t shine through. It won’t get their interest. So the question is: what can you do to make yourself stand out. Often this is not even work-related activity. It could be a sport that you excel at, or a musical instrument that you play. It could be a specific achievement. Within our F1 team over the years, we have had a concert pianist in Aero, a world champion Irish Dancer in Legal, a European record holding swimmer in IT and a British 400m sprint relay champion in HR. All these are significant achievements that would be of interest to a recruiting manager. So think about what you have done and how you can stand out.
Also, take time to consider your personal qualities. Have you demonstrated leadership in a previous role? Can you talk about times when you have had to be resilient? What personal challenges have you overcome? These are all things that potential recruiters are interested in.
Q: In your opinion, what is the best way to get experience in motorsport?
Work experience is invaluable and can be a great way to build your CV and your network. However, F1 teams receive literally thousands of requests each year for work experience and are only able to offer a very small number of placements. Priority for these is often given to local schools near to the team’s headquarters, or partner schools, colleges and organisations that the team may already work with. Internships are usually advertised on the team’s website or come about through existing contacts with universities.
It’s important therefore not to limit your work experience applications to just Formula One teams. Think creatively about the area that you are interested in and then apply to other companies that might be relevant: other motorsport teams, race circuits, tv or radio stations, merchandise sellers, graphic design agencies or events and hospitality companies.
Q: What do you like most about F1/ motorsports as a whole?
Having worked in motorsport for 25 years, the most enjoyable aspect for me was always the team spirit. Everyone supports everyone else, and people genuinely care about each other. You work with a team of highly talented, dedicated individuals but everyone pulls in the same direction and is focussed on the same goals. There’s a ‘no blame’ culture, where people can be open, honest and treat each other with kindness and respect. I also really appreciate the technical side of the sport, the constant innovation and creativity that pushes the boundaries.
Q: Are there any challenges that you faced that you feel may have helped you grow in your career? What are they and how did they help?
I think the main thing I have learned is that you need to keep learning and growing in order to build your career. I’ve reinvented my career within motorsport a number of times, moving from being an Executive Assistant to working in Communications, and then IT, Finance and Internal Communications. Each time, I’ve learned new skills and taken on new responsibilities. I’m now doing the same with my consultancy firm, The Comms Exchange. If you’re not learning, you’re standing still. That’s as important for the people who work in the teams to know, as much as it is for the teams themselves.
Q: Before you worked in F1, what were your expectations of working in the sport and was it different to what it was really like; if so, how?
I think, like most people, I thought an F1 team was just made up of the people that you see at the race on TV – the drivers, mechanics, engineers and a small number of team management and support crew. I didn’t appreciate that’s only the tip of the iceberg, and that behind them stands the team behind the race team – nowadays that’s nearly 2,000 people: designers, engineers, manufacturing and assembly technicians, inspectors, aerodynamicists, wind tunnel technicians, model makers, dyno engineers, test & development technicians, electronics engineers, project planners, buyers, painters and graphic designers, simulation specialists, mathematical modellers, strategists, race, facilities, stores, IT, HR, legal, finance, marketing, social media, internal communications, team clothing, travel, logistics, heritage, the fitness centre, reception, catering, security and cleaning. It’s a huge operation with an incredible mix of nationalities, cultures and personalities – all supporting each other and working together to put two cars and drivers on the track.
Q: If you could change one thing in Formula 1, what would it be and why?
I would like to see more females in senior leadership/board level positions in Formula 1, and behind the wheel of the car. There are many talented female leaders and female drivers, but they have not been given a proper opportunity in this sport as yet.
If you are interested in hearing more from Nicole, we would recommend following Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-bearne?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
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