Fast Females: Kathryn Richards & Laura Webber

0
3509

Kathryn and Laura kindly took time before the Australian Grand Prix to talk to me about their careers and women in motorsport.

Kathryn Richards is the Wind Tunnel Test Technician at Mercedes AMG F1 and has worked at the Brackley factory for over 10 years.

Laura Webber initially joined Mercedes on a placement year when she was 19 and now works there as a full-time aerodynamicist.

When did you decide you wanted to work in motorsport, was it always your aim?

KATHRYN: It wasn’t always my aim. When I was in school I wanted to be an airline pilot so I geared my A-levels towards going to flight school. When I went to college, I begun to take interest in F1 and it was at this point I found out you can put a Formula 1 car in a wind tunnel. Once I knew that then I wanted to work in F1. 

LAURA: I’ve always wanted to work in F1 from when I was very young. I’ve always enjoyed engineering and watching cars so for me F1 is the pinnacle of that.

What changes, if any, have there been in the presence of women in the factory?

KATHRYN: When I first started there weren’t really any female workers, just myself and a couple of others who joined the aero department. That’s where the biggest change has been, there are a lot more women working in hydraulics, R&D etc, but only in the last 3 years or so.

LAURA: I’ve seen a few more women come in, but I fear we’re fighting a losing battle at the moment as there hasn’t been an increase in the number of women taking engineering degrees. We need more people to study it so that there are more people applying for jobs.

What is the hardest aspect of your jobs?

LAURA: The constant search for innovation and new ideas. You’re constantly trying to drive the development of your part of the car and everyone is doing the same so that hopefully it all adds up to a car that can win races and win championships. So it’s about keeping the ideas and the motivation coming to keep moving forward.

KATHRYN: I have challenging days where things go wrong and we have operational issues that you must fix and then you have to make up time but because I love my job, I never find it hard.

Kathryn, how did things change in the factory from Honda to Brawn GP to Mercedes? What were the key differences?

At Honda, it was clear that lots of money was thrown about for little gain in performance. Despite giving it everything you’ve got, it was just frustrating. Brawn GP was just an amazing year because it came so out of the blue. Now at Mercedes, it is clear to see the development over the years not just of resources, but of personnel and the team in general. It feels like a proper F1 team and I’m proud to walk around in my team kit. 

Laura, you initially joined Mercedes on a placement scheme, how did the opportunity come about, and what was the experience like?

When I was at University I sent my CV off to a number of F1 teams and following an interview, Mercedes offered me a placement year in the aero department. After that, they asked me to come back in the summer between my third and fourth year of Uni and it was once I completed that when they offered me a full-time job. Mercedes have treated me really well throughout the experience.

What is the feeling like when you win a World Championship?

KATHRYN: It’s a great feeling which never changes. Even after all our success, I never take it for granted. We know we can be beaten, there’s no arrogance there, so every single win means something.

LAURA: It’s a brilliant feeling to come in on a Monday morning and celebrate the success of the team with my colleagues as we all know we’ve played a part in the result. Seeing all the hard work you’ve put in pay off is hard to describe, but it’s incredibly rewarding.

How big a challenge were the 2017 tech regulations for you and your team and do you feel that Mercedes’ interpretation will continue your success?

LAURA: It’s a fresh challenge, especially with the huge changes in aerodynamics. But we’ve tried to keep the same attitude, to keep doing what we do, and that’s win. So now it’s about having a new set of rules and ideas to do that.

KATHRYN: It’s challenged everybody but we think we have risen to that and hopefully this season that will show. 

Finally, what advice would you give to other women hoping to work in motorsport?

KATHRYN: Don’t doubt yourself. If you want it hard enough then you will get it no matter what route you take. Some people are better at numbers, some are more practical, so follow what you want to do and be determined.

I joined D2BD because someone helped me get into this position right the way through from my academic studies and I wouldn’t be here now without them. I therefore want to do the same for someone else. I mentor a couple of girls and the change in one of them in particular over the last 12 to 18 months has been incredible.  She is coming to do work experience with me in August so her dream is now becoming a reality.

LAURA: Take every opportunity that’s thrown your way, so as well as studying hard, look out for things like Formula Student and any other practical experience as it is all so important. If you can do summer placements at Uni then that’s probably the best thing to try and set yourself apart from those who are just studying.

LEAVE A REPLY