Motorsport Engineering graduate shares his passion of working with Formula 1 teams with students

UWTSD was delighted to welcome Chris Bull, Principal Aerodynamicist at Renault F1 Team, back to the University to share insights of working alongside Formula 1 teams with current students.

Chris graduated from UWTSD in 2004 with a BEng in Motorsport Engineering and has worked with Formula 1 teams for the past 14 years. From smaller teams like Super Aguri to championship winning team Mercedes, Chris said the daily technical challenges and opportunities to learn something new continues to inspire his passion for engineering and aerodynamics.

Chris was one of the aerodynamicists who worked on the well-known double diffuser on the 2009 championship winning Brawn GP car. He joined Renault during the takeover in 2015 with its vision of becoming a leading running team again.

Chris said his final year University project led to his dream job of working in Formula 1.

He said: “I thoroughly enjoyed studying in Swansea. There were great opportunities to apply engineering skills which was particularly important to me. With help from lecturers, I developed my technical skills to understand engineering problems in a scientific way, working on projects individually and together in a group.

“My final year dissertation was in collaboration with Jordan Grand prix where I developed and analysed a front suspension upright. Having an opportunity to work with a company helped to showcase my skills and lead to working in Formula 1.

“I have worked in Formula 1 teams for the past 14 years working for small teams like Super Aguri which consisted of 100 people, to championship winning team Mercedes with 1000 people. Everyday there are technical challenges and opportunities to learn something new and that is what I like about engineering and aerodynamics.

“My advice for current students would be to make the most of your situation, don’t be afraid of asking questions to learn and showcase your skills.”

Dr Kerry Tudor, Automotive Engineering Programme Director at UWTSD said:  “Within the Engineering Department at UWTSD, we run a Professional Development and Employability Series and as part of this we often organise guest lectures from individuals in industry. We especially try to get alumni, who have previously graduated from us and now have a successful career. Having Chris come and talk to our engineering students is a great opportunity to hear the career progression that our graduates can achieve. It was an interesting talk about the world of Formula 1, which many of our students inspire to become a part of. Chris explained how what he learnt at UWTSD has been imperative to his jobs within the industry.”

https://www.formula1.com/en/teams/Renault.html

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Swyddog Gweithredol Cysylltiadau â’r Wasg a’r Cyfryngau

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer

Cyfathrebu Corfforaethol a Chysylltiadau Cyhoeddus

Corporate Communications and PR

Tel: 01792 483695

Mobile: 07384 467071

Email: Rebecca.Davies@uwtsd.ac.uk