MTC apprentice secures role with F1 champions

The 19-year-old is set to accelerate his career with the three-time World Constructors’ Champions on their apprenticeship programme – based at their hi-tech F1 headquarters in Brackley.

Lowndes, who is from Hinckley, will start his new role in September and work in the model and prototype shop to design and test scaled-down elements for the F1 cars.

He said: “It is absolutely brilliant and I’m really excited. I’ll be working in the modelling and rapid prototyping (RP) team. The model shop make scale models of the F1 car and they test it aerodynamically in the wind tunnel. With RP, they 3D print all of the aerofoils and it’ll be my job to oversee that and prep the parts out and fit them to the models.

“The MTC apprenticeship has definitely helped me to get this role. I have gained industry experience and learned the basics of engineering. I had some tests at Mercedes and from the skills learned at the MTC I was able to pass them. Having the industry experience also definitely helped me get the role.”

Neil Fowkes, head of training, said: “George is to be congratulated on securing such a prestigious role and everyone wishes him well. George’s success epitomises the purpose and aims of our training programme, which is to train the engineers of the future to provide manufacturing businesses with skilled and eager young engineers, with knowledge of the technologies that are transforming the industry.”

The MTC Apprenticeship Programme launched in 2012 – one year after the MTC opened its doors – and trains young men and women in skills, knowledge and behaviours to be an engineer in the digital age of manufacturing.