The Formula One outfit brought racing thrills to Oxford Brookes University recently, with Mercedes-AMG Petronas arriving at the Headington site on April 23 and pulling in significant audiences through a show vehicle from the championship, hands-on driving activities, and a contingent of engineers and hiring specialists.

The practical experience gave engineering pupils a glimpse into the world of top-level motorsport and potential job paths in the sector, featuring alumni now working for Mercedes.

Professor Gordana Collier, head of the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics at Oxford Brookes, said the institution was honoured to be among the limited number of universities chosen to hold such an inspiring event on campus.

The gathering brought together several ex-Brookes students now serving in various roles within the Mercedes Formula One operation.

It proved particularly valuable to hear from the newly appointed Engineering Director, who also completed their studies at Brookes, Sam Coates.

Participants from the university’s Oxford Brookes Racing collective, which competes globally in the Formula Student championship, took part as well.

Thomas Cawdery, who heads OBR’s 2026 project, said he anticipated seeing the Mercedes Formula One machine and discovering the range of career options accessible to holders of motorsport engineering qualifications.

Ashley Smith, an OBR member, said it was excellent to meet potential upcoming coworkers for his industrial placement the following year.

Another undergraduate, Grace Beardsely, said she came to investigate possible career trajectories and gather information given her ambition to eventually secure a role in Formula One.

Previous Oxford Brookes Motorsport Engineering graduates have secured employment across Formula One and Formula E organisations alongside their supply chain partners.