Engineering students get a taster of Formula 1

The group of 15 students spent the day with Williams Formula 1’s Keith Forsythe, who works in the Research and Design department, and gave students a unique insight into his life at Williams’.

The first and second year students had the opportunity to hear first-hand what it takes to secure such a high profile job, and hear how the skills they are learning now will be used in practice in the future.

The students spent the morning listening to Keith explaining the workings of a professional motorsports team, what his job entails and gave them advice on career routes and options open to them once they finish their course at SERC.

Keith, who is originally from Hillsborough, explained to the students his own personal journey including his educational path which started with the same qualification the students are currently working towards, a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Motorsports Vehicle Technology.

Keith discussed all the different job roles at Williams F1 and talked in great detail about his own area which centres round wind tunnel testing of all the prototype components that will be used on the F1 cars.

Student Peter Maze from Aghalee, said: “We haven’t done anything like this before and it’s been great to speak to someone who has been where we are now. It was a great experience and has given me a great insight into the motorsports industry. To get to meet Keith and hear how he got to where he is today was fantastic.”

David Irwin, course tutor, said of the visit: “Keith really inspired the students and they enjoyed spending time with him. The students could easily empathise with him as he is a local lad from Hillsborough that has achieved exactly what most of my guys are striving towards.”