Okay, so, I’ve always been a huge Formula 1 fan. The speed, the tech, the strategy… it all just gets me. So, when I saw postings about the 2024 internships, I knew I had to try my luck. Here’s how it all went down:
The Hunt Begins
First, I started digging. I mean really digging. It wasn’t like they had a big flashing sign saying “Intern Here!”. I checked the official F1 site, of course, but also the individual team websites. Think Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari… all of them. I went through their “Careers” sections, looking for anything internship-related.
I also hit up LinkedIn. Seriously, that site is a goldmine. I searched for “Formula 1 internship,” “motorsport internship,” and any combination I could think of. I looked at profiles of people who had done F1 internships before, seeing where they worked and what their backgrounds were. It was like a little bit of detective work.
Crafting the Application
This was the tough part. You can’t just send a generic resume and expect to land an F1 internship. No way. I spent days, maybe even weeks, tweaking my resume and cover letter. I made sure to highlight any experience that was even remotely relevant. That project where I built a mini wind tunnel in college? You bet I talked about that!
- Focus on Skills: I really emphasized skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and data analysis. I figured those would be important, no matter what department I ended up in.
- Show Passion:I let my passion for F1 shine through. I wrote about my favorite races, drivers, and why I was so fascinated by the sport. But, I also tried to keep it professional, you know?
- Tailor Everything:If I was applying to a specific team, I made sure to do my research on them. I talked about their recent performance, their drivers, and anything unique about their engineering approach.
The Waiting Game (and Interviews!)
After hitting “submit,” it was just… waiting. And waiting. It felt like forever! Then, finally, I started getting some responses. Some were rejections, which was a bummer, but hey, that’s part of the process.
But then, I got some interview requests! I was so hyped. I prepared like crazy for those. I practiced answering common interview questions, researched the teams even more, and even did some mock interviews with friends.
The interviews themselves were nerve-wracking, but also kind of exciting. I talked to engineers, HR people, and even some team managers. They asked me about my technical skills, my experience, and of course, my love for F1.
Results (Fingers Crossed!)
At the time that I am writing, I am still in processing of waiting.
I’m still waiting to hear back from some of the teams. It’s a tough process, and there’s a lot of competition. But even if I don’t land an internship this time around, I’ve learned so much. I’ve gained valuable experience in applying for competitive roles, I have improved my interviewing skills, and I have connected with some amazing people in the motorsport industry.
So, that’s my F1 internship journey so far. Wish me luck!
