Story Highlight
– Fifteen undergraduates from low-income backgrounds gain motorsport experience.
– Students worked with top UK motorsport organizations.
– Bursaries provided to eliminate financial barriers for participants.
– Partnership aims to improve access to motorsport careers.
– Quality work experience significantly enhances graduate employment chances.
Full Story
A new partnership between prominent motorsport employers in the UK and a social mobility charity has opened doors for disadvantaged students seeking vital work experience in the industry. Fifteen undergraduate students from low-income families were awarded placements this summer, allowing them to gain practical experience in various roles within the UK’s motorsport sector.
These students were immersed in the bustling environment of Motorsports Valley, collaborating with experts from well-known organizations such as Silverstone, Mercedes HPP, Lola Cars, Power Maxed Racing, and Brick Kiln Composites. The variety of roles available highlighted the numerous career paths attainable in the industry, encompassing fields like engineering, design, operations, and commercial activities. To alleviate financial barriers, all participating students received bursaries, thereby broadening access to these opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds.
The placements emerged from a collaborative effort between upReach, a prominent social mobility charity, and Mission 44, the charitable foundation established by Sir Lewis Hamilton. This initiative marks the first integration of motorsport roles into upReach’s Exclusive Work Experience Opportunities program. Oscar Feeney, Partnership Manager at upReach, stated, “These placements aren’t just about giving students a glimpse behind the scenes. They’re about providing young people from underrepresented backgrounds with the networks, skills, and confidence to build genuine careers in motorsports – an industry that has historically been difficult to access.”
Brick Kiln Composites, which hosted eight students for their work experience, expressed their enthusiasm for supporting local communities: “We are excited to support upReach in providing opportunities to those in our community that often don’t see themselves represented in the automotive and Formula 1 industry. We look forward to challenging ourselves to offer more opportunities to the communities that support and surround us in the future.”
The inclusion of motorsport placements within upReach’s program reflects a growing recognition in the industry that talent can be found across all communities, not just among those with pre-existing connections. Opportunities in motorsport traditionally stem from personal networks or unpaid internships, making initiatives like this essential for fostering inclusivity. Thanush Thavabalan, a second-year student studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath, shared his experience after spending a week with Lola Cars: “Before my experience week through upReach, I had limited exposure to Motorsport Engineering. However, from the moment I arrived at Lola Cars, I began building confidence in my understanding of technical concepts. Being immersed in a professional motorsport environment helped me connect theory to real-world applications. The team was incredibly supportive, and I gained valuable insights into engineering design, materials, and performance-driven problem-solving. This experience not only strengthened my technical foundation but also confirmed my passion for pursuing a career in the motorsport industry.”
Ensuring equitable access to meaningful work experience is crucial for securing graduate employment. A 2025 report by the Sutton Trust indicates that students from working-class backgrounds are 20 percentage points less likely to pursue internships compared to their middle-class counterparts—a gap that has widened significantly since 2018. The issue is exacerbated by the high number of unpaid or poorly compensated placements; in 2024, 61% of internships fell into this category, effectively excluding students unable to work without remuneration.
upReach’s internal research highlights the long-term career benefits of quality work experience. Among students who completed an exclusive internship through the charity, 69.8% secured graduate roles, contrasted with just 43.9% of those who did not participate—a substantial 26 percentage point difference that can alter career paths.
As motorsport continues to develop, industry leaders are increasingly acknowledging the importance of diversity in driving innovation and competitiveness. By collaborating with organizations such as Mission 44, upReach aims to ensure that the future workforce in motorsports better represents the UK’s diverse talent pool. Mission 44 is entering its second year of supporting upReach’s Motorsports Programme. Interested employers and students seeking future work experience opportunities can find more information on the upReach website.
