Work experience and internship programmes at McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari and others

Formula 1 work experience and internships

McLaren Racing

McLaren Racing offers three-month summer internships and 12-month placement years in technical and race engineering, operations management, and commercial and central functions.

McLaren also offers one-week work experience programmes for students aged 16-18 during the summer, often filled via STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) outreach programmes including the McLaren STEM Ambassadors programme, and partnerships with schools.

Apply here for work experience at McLaren F1 Team.

McLaren is currently offering a one-year internship programme within its operations department. Apply here. 

Formerly known as McLaren 60 Scholars, McLaren Racing NEXT is a five-day, in-person learning and development programme for 25 women in STEM from the UK, EU, and US. Open to students in their penultimate or final year of a STEM degree. All travel and accommodation costs are covered. The deadline for this programme is June 2nd 2025. Apply here for McLaren Racing NEXT.

Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Team 

Aston Martin offers internships and placements across engineering, aerodynamics, and operations. Its undergraduate placement schemes usually open in September-October.

The Silverstone-based team works with Coventry University and Cranfield University to support students in securing placements.

Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team and its title partner, Aramco, have together delivered a number of programmes with the objective of fuelling the next generation with inspiration and skills in STEM subjects. Partnership success so far include:

- Jessica Hawkins was the first female to drive a modern ground-effect F1 car 
- STEM activations inspiring students in KSA, China and Spain
- Supporting careers in STEM and motorsport via a university undergraduate placement programme
- Winner of Aramco Esports Challenge joining the Aston Martin eSports racing team
- Partnered with AMF1 and the World Robotic Olympiad (WRO) to launch the Aramco Innovation Award, a new global initiative recognising excellence in robotics design and technology

In October 2024, Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team and Aramco launched its ‘Generation 3’ initiative to inspire the next generation.

Building on the achievements of the partnership, this global initiative strives to prepare and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders to tackle the major global mobility challenges for years to come.

This initiative will include the launch of a new Generation 3 STEM scholarship programme for 2025, and will expand on last season’s STEM karting initiatives delivered by Aston Martin Aramco drivers and engineers. Find out more and join the movement here.

Williams Racing

Williams offers one-week placements for UK-based students in years 10 to 13, covering various aspects of F1 operations.

The F1 team also offers a dedicated programme focussing on simulation, gaming, and data analysis in motorsport.

Williams also partners with Oxford Brookes University to provide placement years in motorsport engineering, and with Cranfield University on postgraduate aerodynamics research projects.

Applications for Williams’s apprenticeships open in October-November. For work experience, applications at Williams open in January-February.

Graduate programme, industrial placement, and summer placement applications open in September-October. 

Register your interest for Williams Racing programmes here.

Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

Mercedes offers 12-month industrial placements in operations, technical and race engineering, and business support. The two-week application window opens in November each year.

Mercedes also collaborates with Cranfield University and Brunel University London to provide student placements. Furthermore, it has a partnership with Loughborough University to provide placement opportunities in aerodynamics and performance. 

Find out more about Mercedes-AMG’s early careers here.

Red Bull Racing

Red Bull offers 12-month placements in technical engineering and support functions. 

The Milton Keynes-based F1 team partners with Oxford Brookes University for placement years and research opportunities, and with Cranfield University for postgraduate aerodynamics projects.

Red Bull is currently hiring for various apprenticeships.

Early careers marketing roles for Red Bull can be found here.

Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology is also offering Mechanical Design ICE Student Placements.

Racing Bulls 

Racing Bulls (formerly RB) offers 13-month placements in aerodynamics and vehicle performance - but it requires a relevant degree and the equivalent of a 1st or high 2:1 grade.

The team based in Faenza, Italy, and Milton Keynes, UK, has close ties with Loughborough University and Brunel University.

Racing Bulls usually opens its undergraduate internship schemes for applications in April.

Ferrari 

Ferrari offers six-month internship programmes for recent graduates. Applications typically close in April each year, but opportunities recur annually. Applications for its 2024 Engineering Academy programme https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/ferrari-f1-engineering-academy ended in April 2024.

The Scuderia also collaborates with universities through its Maranello Academy, working with top Italian institutions like Politecnico di Milano and University of Bologna for research and placements.

Ferrari’s road car company and F1 team are currently offering numerous internships that can be found here.

Cadillac Andretti

As the team prepares for its entry into Formula 1 next year, Cadillac Andretti is now accepting open applications for both work experience placements and apprenticeships.

Early motorsport careers beyond Formula 1 

Formula E

Formula E is now recruiting Champions Volunteers for the London E-Prix. Open to anyone aged 18+, volunteers will be assisting with the logistics and support of the event itself. Apply here.

British Touring Car Championship (BTCC)

WSR is currently offering a limited number of work experience opportunities where candidates will be able to help build and maintain the team’s cars.

Other British Touring Car Championship teams do not publicly advertise work experience programmes but squads such as Un-Limited Motorsport and Team Dynamics have been known to offer placements to those who reach out proactively.

Brick Kiln Composites

Brick Kiln Composites offers work experience placements for Year 11 and 12 students, as well as graduate opportunities across eight departments including design, laminating, inspection, and more. Apply here.

IndyCar and IMSA

IndyCar and IMSA sportscar racing teams in the United States often rely on direct outreach to recruit interns and offer work experience placements.

Purdue University works with IndyCar teams to provide engineering students with placements.

North Carolina State University has a motorsport programme connected to IMSA teams such as Wayne Taylor Racing.

Honda Racing UK

Honda Racing UK offers apprenticeships to UK-based applicants with GCSEs. It also offers placements from three-12 months for students pursuing relevant engineering degrees.

Honda Racing UK provides hands-on experience in engine development and racing operations with Loughborough University and University of Warwick.

World Endurance Championship

Cranfield University runs the Motorsport MSc programme, which places students in Toyota Gazoo Racing, Peugeot Sport, and Porsche Hypercar WEC teams.

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota Gazoo Racing offers mandatory internships and thesis placements for students seeking hands-on motorsport experience. 

Opportunities run for a minimum of three months and include coaching from expert mentors in a high-tech environment. Applicants must have completed at least three semesters. Apply here.

Motorsport Engineering & Supplier Companies

Pirelli

Pirelli offers two-year internships for engineering and business graduates as part of its ‘Warming Up’ programme. 

The tyre company also offers various internships and apprenticeships globally.

Formula 1’s tyre supplier also collaborates with University of Milan and Politecnico di Torino, offering engineering students exclusive placement opportunities.   

Silverstone Composites

Specialising in designing and manufacturing carbon fibre parts, Silverstone Composites offers work experience placements targeted at students in the later years of full-time secondary, sixth form or college education. Six placements are available each year and typically take place during the UK summer holidays or half term. Apply here.

Governing Bodies & Event Organisations 

Motorsport UK

Motorsport UK's Inclusion Hub is designed for individuals interested in entering the industry, as well as parents and teachers. With a focus on STEM careers, the hub provides a tailored list of resources, including internships and guides, after completing a brief questionnaire.

Silverstone

Silverstone offers a variety of volunteering opportunities at some of its events, including the British Grand Prix. 

Sonoma Raceway

Sonoma Raceway is currently offering a Marketing & Events internship, based in Sonoma, California, from May 1 to August 1. This is a paid internship ($16.00/hr) targeted at university students or recent graduates interested in sports marketing, event management, and public relations.

DTO Motorsport

Based in Silverstone, DTO Motorsport holds driving experiences in a range of different race cars. The company offers work experience to students throughout the year, primarily aimed at those studying at university. Apply here.