Careers talk highlights teamwork in F1

The latest in our careers talk series brought pupils a fascinating insight into Formula 1, when MCS parent and Chief Communications Officer at Mercedes, Bradley Lord, popped in – sharing his journey from translator-intern to a leadership role in one of the most high-performance environments in the world.

Far from being just about fast cars and famous drivers, the talk highlighted the true scale and diversity of careers in Formula 1. Describing F1 as “the world’s biggest team sport,” Bradley explained how over 2,000 professionals are part of the Mercedes team, working in roles as varied as HR, law, marketing and finance, to engineering, data science and logistics at the team’s two sites in Brackley and Brixworth.  Keeping this diverse team feeling engaged and connected to what happens on the track was core to his role, he said.

Later, a Mercedes film underlined the importance of teamwork in F1, showcasing some of the values which underpin its success – including spirit, ethos, passion, respect, excellence and innovation – and giving pupils broader lessons about key attributes in demand in the world of work.

Pupils went away with a new perspective on the wide range of pathways into elite sport – and before leaving, enjoyed an opportunity to handle George Russell’s helmet!