How much do F1 Engineers earn? What is the average salary of an F1 engineer?
Here is everything you need to know about Formula 1 engineers.
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Formula 1. Image via Motorsport Engineer.
Money plays a vital role in Formula 1. The sport generates a large revenue. Formula 1 is one of the highest-paying sports, and this does not include only the drivers but also the other members like race engineers and pit crew. This data-driven sport demands teamwork. Race engineers play a crucial role in Formula 1. Without them, it would be impossible to run the show.
Working in Formula 1 is a dream for many. There are several opportunities in the sport. And thousands of people work at the factory, gathering data and trying to improve the car’s performance. There is more to Formula 1 than what meets the eye. Every team requires engineers, it is the essence of Formula 1. The teams pay a bomb to hire the best in the business.
Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsports. It is a highly dignified sport. It is one of the biggest spectacles in the world. An F1 race engineer plays a massive role in the sport. The team’s success and failures depend on the engineers. So the question remains, how much do these prestigious engineers earn? They are paid well.
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How much do the F1 engineers earn?
McLaren Race engineers with Fernando Alonso
The starting salary for F1 engineers is approximately $40,000 a year. The senior race engineer and the FIA-appointed individuals earn hundreds of thousands. The top teams like Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari pay their engineers way more than teams like Williams and Haas. The engineers’ salaries differ relative to their experience. It also depends on the qualifications, sectors they work with, and positions held.
There are different kinds of engineering roles in Formula 1 team—for example, race engineer, mechanical engineer, software engineer, and so on. The chief engineers are paid more than the others, it is only fair as they are under immense pressure from the team principal and the drivers. The fans also target the chief engineers if the performance of the car is not up to the mark.
The bigger teams usually pay more to get the best in the business. Winning teams receive prize money from the organization. They may spend it on acquiring the best engineers for their team. End of the day, it all comes down to money and winning. The ten teams earn money from the FIA. And they can spend it as they wish. Formula 1 engineers are also paid bonuses depending on the team’s performance. This encourages them to work harder.
The Formula 1 engineer is always under pressure if the car is not performing. They must ensure the car suits the driver and wins races during the Grand Prix. The engineers will work towards generating new setups and analyzing the car’s performance. Formula 1 drivers drive the fastest car in the world. The engineers contribute to its performance.
Salary table
| Type of engineers | Salary |
| Recently graduated engineer | $30,000 to $40,000 |
| Junior engineer or associate engineer | $40,000 to $85,000 |
| Senior engineers | $85,000 to $1,50,000 |
| Chief engineers | $ 2,50,000 approx |
How to become a Formula 1 engineer?
Mercedes Race Engineers
An engineering degree will not make a person an engineer in Formula 1, unlike other companies and industries. To become a Formula 1 engineer, one must begin their career in school. STEM subjects like Physics, Maths, IT, Design, and Chemistry are very important. Once the student’s complete school, they must complete their engineering studies via university.
Students with an additional master’s degree in aeronautics, programming, design, and other related subjects would be preferred for the role. After the formal qualifications, the individuals should focus on gaining experience. They can either shadow other Formula 1 engineer or do an unpaid internship at racing events. The racing events do not have to be particularly Formula 1. They can be anything the FIA governs, like Formula E or Formula 2, etc.
Once all this is completed, the individuals who wish to join the sport can apply for the position. It takes a lot of handwork, determination, and willpower to get into Formula 1. There is a lot of pressure on being an engineer in the sport. The engineers have to work their way up to get to where they want to be. Some skills needed to work as a Formula 1 engineer are resilience and quick thinking. Apart from that, good communication skills, the ability to solve problems in a short period, and the ability to work with a team.
Benefits of being a Formula 1 engineer
There are perks to working in this highly dignified sport. The Formula 1 engineer is usually a fan of motorsports. Some of their perks include medical insurance, merchandise, ticket price discounts, travel and accommodation costs to the venues, shared opportunities, pension schemes, and team performance bonuses (when the teams win a race, championship, or a podium finish, etc).
These engineers get to travel the world, and their expense is taken care of by the team. Their friends and families can attend the event by paying less. The benefits depend on each team. The people working in Formula 1 are looked after by their team. It is a billion-dollar sport. And it has a lot of opportunities for young people. It is the perfect job for individuals who love the sport. However, they must be patient, extremely hard-working, and, most of all, willing to travel.
Learn more:
- What is F1’s ‘DRS’ and how does it work?
- F1 Reserve Drivers: Who are the backup drivers for the 2023 Formula one season?
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Sugantha Meena
(493 Articles Published)