“Am I good enough? Is it too late? I wish I could get into motorsport, but it won’t happen – I’ll just settle for something else instead.”

The Amjad before the Mission 44 and Royal Academy of Engineering’s Motorsport Scholarship was different – he was someone that could easily go into self-doubt. He was a person who was told from a young age that motorsport is too niche, it’s not for people like him, and to just “make it a hobby or something”. Financial limitations meant he couldn’t ditch full-time work and pursue a Master’s in Motorsport Engineering, even though that was his dream.

However, two years ago, I received the fantastic news that my application for the scholarship, as part of the first cohort, was successful. Whilst I was elated, I had no clue how big of an impact the next two years would make. The doubts lingered, but everything changed when I joined the programme.

The next two years ended up being filled with pinch-myself moments and experiences I deeply cherish. They helped me grow, enhancing my soft skills and theoretical motorsport knowledge, qualities which are vital for engineers who aspire to thrive in the peaks of motorsport.

It’s given me the opportunity to pursue the Master’s in Motorsport Engineering I have always wanted. I have pushed myself academically throughout the two year course at Oxford Brookes – one of the top universities for motorsport in the UK. At Oxford Brookes, I’ve received all the support I needed, and discovered just how far I can go when I’m truly passionate about something.

A highlight project involved learning the fundamentals of aerodynamics and simulation work, and then immediately applying it to motorsport by developing an entire aerodynamic package to homologate a standard saloon vehicle to LMGT3 regulations (note: creating and adding new parts to a standard car so it meets official racing requirements).

I owe much to the people who are dedicated to making motorsport more inclusive and have helped me tremendously along the way. From meeting Mission 44 Founder, Sir Lewis Hamilton, who has spearheaded the recent drive to make the sport more accessible, to meeting some of the historic greats of Formula 1 – such as Pat Symonds, Otmar Szafnaeur and Martin Brundle – I have had the rare opportunity to pick their brains and get into the heart of what it takes to thrive at the height of motorsport.

So many inspiring staff and engineers, both junior and senior, believed in the mission to make the sport more inclusive, and have been there to support us throughout the scholarship. It’s been amazing to see how many people are willing to lend a helping hand. Visiting some of the teams, such as Aston Martin Formula 1 and Mercedes High Performance Powertrains, has shown me the family culture that is evident within the sport, when the whole team pushes together for one goal – getting to the top of the podium.

After two years as part of the Motorsport Scholarship, I have seen that whilst it takes hard work, it is absolutely possible for someone like me to join the motorsport community at a high level and truly make a difference, both on and off the track. This is something I hope the motorsport sector keeps encouraging, so young people from all backgrounds have many more role models to look up to in the future.

What’s next for me? In 2025 I aim to complete my Master’s in Motorsport Engineering, and then bring my engineering in aerospace experience, elevated academic achievements in motorsport, and newfound confidence to one of Formula 1’s incredible teams – contributing to achieving success on the track, whilst championing inclusivity off it.

Amjad Saeed,
MSc Motorsport Engineering