Eastbourne College – Pole position for Williams

20 Nov 2018

Eastbourne College sixth former Oliver Williams secured a prestigious work experience placement at Williams Formula One (F1) team headquarters thanks to the endorsement of former College pupil, now Williams’ Senior Aerodynamicist, James Crook.

Mr Crook’s Eastbourne College journey prepared him well for work at one of the world’s leading automotive engineering firms. A music and academic scholar, Mr Crook threw himself into all manner of opportunities on offer at the College, including two prizes for Design and Technology (innovation), a McLaren F1 racing team placement, and building a ‘Locost’ sports car.

Formula One racing is often perceived as elitist and inaccessible and Oliver Williams was part of a new programme driven by Williams to reverse these perceptions. The company also offers financial bursaries and promotes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects in schools.

Oliver’s placement was in the Formula 1 Model Shop and his week was peppered with eye-opening opportunities, including a tour of the site, a meeting with founder and Team Principle Sir Frank Williams, and a personal tour of Frank’s private collection of F1 cars.