How Much Do F1 Engineers Earn?

Kiara Reeson August 31, 2022

F1 is one of the highest-paying jobs across the sports board, not only for the drivers but for all of the people involved. Formula 1 is a sport that demands teamwork. Engineers play one of the biggest roles in Formula 1 as they actually make it possible for the sport to exist. But how much do F1 engineers earn? Let’s take a look…

How much do F1 engineers make?

F1 engineers can get paid between £40,000 and £80,000 per year. However, the pay can vary depending on experience, seniority and the team they are based in. Engineers are a crucial point in Formula 1, them being such an important part of Formula 1 could even increase their salaries to £100,000.

However, graduate engineers with master’s degrees can start on graduate schemes which can typically pay between £25-30,000. After a few years, this is likely to increase.

In Formula 1 teamwork is extremely important. Making the fastest car on the grid will give the driver a much better chance at winning races and championships. This means the reality is that even the best of all drivers can’t win in a slow car.

Formula 1 teams will obviously be looking to employ the best engineers on the planet. If an engineer is the best in their field, they will be paid incredibly well.

This is a major encouragement for younger people looking to get into engineering. However, there are specific factors to keep in mind when it comes to salaries.

Junior/younger engineers will obviously be paid less because they have less experience than senior engineers in Formula 1 and engineering itself.

The chief engineers will be paid the most out of all of the engineers employed, although they are often the ones under the most pressure by team principals, the drivers and even the public when it comes to the performance of the car.

The typical salary different engineers can expect are as follows:

Graduate engineer: £25,000-£30,000 a year

Junior engineer: £45,000-£65,000 a year

Senior engineer: £70,000-£115,000 a year

Chief engineer: £175,000+ a year

F1 engineers are crucial to all teams which is why they get paid such a great salary.

How much an engineer in Formula 1 gets paid will also depend on the team they are working for. With high-end teams such as Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull, engineers are more likely to get paid a lot more than an engineer working in a lower-end team like Williams or Haas.

This is mainly because the bigger teams are able to pay more which helps them get better engineers. Teams will also receive prize money from the FIA which could give them the opportunity to spend it on even better engineers for their team.

All teams earn some money at the end of the year from the FIA, but teams can choose how to spend it. Sometimes it will be spent on engineers and other times completely different things.

Formula 1 engineers can also be paid bonuses depending on how well the team do. If the team they work for wins the Constructors Championship, they’ll often be given a bonus. This encourages engineers to work much harder than they already do and make sure the car performs up to the standards it’s given. Although, if a team hasn’t performed as well as the previous years then it’s highly likely engineers won’t be given a bonus.

Bonuses can also be given if a race is won for the team, get a pole position in qualifying, or if they’re team sets the fastest lap in a race.

F1 engineers have one of the hardest jobs, making sure the car is suitable to drive and win races. They are under a lot of pressure all of the time. If there are complaints about the car or if it doesn’t perform up to standards, that will fall back on them. They are responsible for the performance, whether that be good or bad.

Formula 1 engineers will be expected to make informed decisions and analyse data about the setup required to generate the best of the cars on the grid.

How much is an F1 pit crew salary?

The highest-paid person in Formula 1 pit crew staff is the crew chief. They are the one who holds the most important duties regarding a pit stop. The bigger teams in Formula 1 like Mercedes or Red Bull pay expensive salaries to their pit crew staff, for example, the crew chief has a pay of £10,000 per race.

The tyre changers also hold a lot of responsibility, making sure new and fresh tyres are put on in record timing so the driver’s race doesn’t get affected. The maximum a tyre changer earns per race is £5,000.

There are also other members of a pit crew team but they don’t hold as much responsibility as the ones mentioned already.

Along with the crew chief and tyre changers you also have the tyre carriers, jackmen, wingmen, stabiliser and the fire extinguisher man.

Tyre carriers earn £3,500 per race while Jackmen and Wingmen get paid the same amount which is £3,000 per race. A stabiliser makes £2,500 per race.

The lowest pay a member of pit crew staff earns is £500 per race. That member of staff is the fire extinguisher. They earn such a low amount due to there not being many fires in the pit lane, they are there mainly for safety measures.

The pit crew of a Formula 1 team also play a crucial role during a Grand Prix weekend and can determine their driver’s final race result.

The Red Bull team is the undeniable king of pit stops. They also hold a Guinness World Record for the fastest Formula 1 pit stop in history. During the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix, the Red Bull pit crew performed the fastest pit stop of Max Verstappen with an astonishing 1.82 seconds!

Fastest Ever F1 Pit Stop

How much do Ferrari F1 engineers make?

Salaries for engineers in Ferrari range from £45,000 to £350,000. Their salaries start at £44,802 per year and can go up to £326,494 per year for the highest level of seniority.

A Ferrari engineer is roughly paid the same as any of the engineers in a top team. If you look at how much a Mercedes, Red Bull or McLaren engineer is paid it will be roughly the same pay range.

This would obviously vary for an engineer in a lower-down team like Haas and Williams, they aren’t able to pay so much towards their engineers as they have other things to pay for.

While teams like Ferrari have enough of a budget they don’t have to worry about how much they pay their engineers, if they want the best car possible they are going to have to pay a lot of money for them.

As mentioned previously engineers can also get bonuses which would increase their salary, but that does determine how well their team does.

How much do Red Bull Formula 1 engineers get paid?

Red Bull, a top-tier Formula One team, pays its Staff Engineers an average annual salary of $105,821, which consists of an estimated base salary of $95,382 and a $10,439 bonus. Compared to the US average for a Staff Engineer, Red Bull’s compensation is slightly lower by $1,300. It’s worth noting that Staff Engineer salaries at Red Bull can vary widely, ranging from $53,443 to $172,500 depending on factors such as experience, skills, and location. In addition to their salaries, Red Bull Staff Engineers also benefit from a range of perks and benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

How much do McLaren F1 engineers make?

McLaren Group Engineers earn an average salary of £45,000 per year, with salaries ranging from £30,000 to £67,735 per year. This estimate is based on 43 salary reports from current and former McLaren Group employees, and may include bonuses and other forms of compensation. It’s worth noting that salaries for Engineers may vary based on factors such as location, experience, and job responsibilities.

How much do F1 aerodynamicist make?

The salary of an F1 aerodynamicist can vary depending on their level of experience and the team they work for. However, according to various sources, the average salary for an F1 aerodynamicist is around £40,000 to £60,000 per year.

Junior aerodynamicists with less experience may earn around £30,000 to £40,000 per year, while senior aerodynamicists with more experience and expertise can earn upwards of £100,000 per year. The salaries of top aerodynamicists can be even higher, with some reports suggesting that they can earn up to £300,000 per year or more.

It’s worth noting that salaries can vary depending on factors such as the size and success of the team, the location of the team, and the demand for skilled aerodynamicists in the industry. Additionally, F1 teams may offer other benefits such as bonuses, performance incentives, and opportunities for career advancement, which can also impact the overall compensation package for an aerodynamicist.

How to become an F1 engineer

Interested in any of the above? Well, let’s find out what you need to do to get a job in F1.

First of all, you’d typically need to showcase exceptional grades at an advanced level in school in STEM subjects like Maths, IT, Design, Physics and Chemistry. It is essential to get good grades in all of these subjects.

Once you’ve finished Comprehensive school/ High school a student looking to go into engineering should look at completing their engineering studies through a College/ University or an engineering apprenticeship. However, it would be hard to find an apprenticeship in engineering without any experience in engineering.

You’ll need a degree or equivalent in mechanical or automotive engineering. Most universities in the UK offer mechanical engineering courses and this should enable you to learn and study vehicle dynamics or mathematical modelling, which is essential knowledge within your role.

It would also be a good idea to enhance employment opportunities after graduation. You could do this by trying to find jobs in a motorsport-related work placement as part of your degree.

Due to the competitive nature of the Formula 1 industry, you’d usually be expected to couple your engineering degree with a specialised master’s degree in fields such as aeronautics, mechatronics, programming, or design.

As well as completing the qualifications needed, experience is also essential. Possible areas to get experience could include joining a Formula student team, acquiring a shadowing job or providing services at racing events free of charge (volunteering). Getting experience doesn’t always have to be Formula 1 related, as long as it’s within the motorsport industry.

Although you don’t have to get your experience through Formula 1, it is advisable to be involved with racing that follows Formula 1 rules set out by the FIA as it typically acts as a training ground for individuals looking at getting involved with Formula 1.

These alternatives could be Formula karting, Formula E, Formula 3 or Formula 2. For women looking to get involved the W Series is a great option.

You could also volunteer for race teams for free in your spare time, this gives you experience in the motorsport environment.

Marshalling can also be a good option as it gives paddock access making it possible to experience the Formula 1 life and what it’s like close-up, it can also help you decide whether that’s what you really want to peruse.

However, it isn’t always possible to walk into a race engineering job straight away, especially as an F1 engineer.

Most race engineers have worked their way up to the position they want or where they are, usually after having worked as a vehicle dynamicist and a data engineer. It may not always be Formula 1 engineers working their way up though, most F1 engineers actually work their way up through rallying, NASCAR or similar forms of motorsport.

Alternatively, you could work in junior race teams as a data analyst and develop ‘on the ground’ the skills that are needed to graduate to a race engineer.

You’ll need quite a few skills if you want to work in a Formula 1 team though, skills like:

-Resilience

-Quick thinking

-Outstanding communication skills

-The ability to work well in a team

-Problem-solving

There are a few more skills that you’d need but these are the main ones to focus on for now.

You may ask why would I want to become an F1 engineer? Along with the large amount of hard work, there are also a few perks that come along with a good salary.

Perks include, but are not limited to the following:

-Travel and accommodation costs to each venue of a calendar year

-Medical insurance

-Pension schemes

-Merchandise/ticket price discounts

-Team performance bonuses(such as race wins, fastest lap, championship wins, etc)

-Shared opportunities

As you probably already know, F1 engineers have to travel the world to be able to attend races for their team. Since the engineers are working, as mentioned before, their travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the team. This means that F1 engineers get to travel the world for free!

As they are team members, F1 engineers might receive discounts on ticket prices, which will allow their friends and family to attend the races at much lower costs. They could also potentially be given discounts on team merchandise, which is really expensive in Formula 1.

Formula 1 crew members also get medical insurance and pension schemes from their employers. However, this does depend on the team.

Formula 1 teams can be made up of 1000+ people, but they are all very well looked after as they are the best at what they do and the teams want to treat them well for all their hard work.

In conclusion, if you want to be an engineer or would like to go down that path, an F1 engineer is the way to go. There are many benefits and it is an incredibly enjoyable job to have when you’re not under pressure during a race weekend.

What do you think of an F1 engineer’s salary? Do you think they are being paid too much or too little, or maybe even just the right amount? Let us know down below in the comments.

How Much Do F1 Engineers Earn? – FAQs

What is an F1 engineer?

An F1 engineer is a specialized professional who designs, develops, and maintains the complex systems and components of an F1 car. These can include everything from the engine and transmission to the aerodynamics and electronics. F1 engineers typically have a background in mechanical or electrical engineering, and they work closely with the team’s drivers, mechanics, and other support staff to optimize the car’s performance.

How much do F1 engineers earn?

The salaries of F1 engineers can vary widely depending on their experience and level of expertise. Junior engineers may earn around $50,000 per year, while senior engineers can earn well over $100,000 per year. In some cases, top-level engineers may earn even more than this. It’s important to note that F1 engineers often work long hours and are required to travel extensively, which can be reflected in their salaries.

What is an F1 pit crew?

An F1 pit crew is a specialized team of mechanics and support staff who are responsible for servicing and maintaining an F1 car during pit stops. This can include everything from changing tires and refueling the car to making quick repairs or adjustments to the car’s systems. Pit crews work under high-pressure, time-sensitive conditions, and must be able to perform their tasks quickly and accurately to keep the car in the race.

How much do F1 pit crew members earn?

As with F1 engineers, the salaries of pit crew members can vary depending on their specific roles and levels of experience. Pit crew members can earn anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 per year, with some highly experienced and specialized crew members earning even more. It’s important to note that pit crew members often work long hours and are required to travel extensively, often to different countries for races.

How do F1 engineers and pit crew members work together?

F1 engineers and pit crew members work closely together to optimize the performance of the car during races. Engineers may use data and telemetry to monitor the car’s systems and make adjustments or give advice to the driver during the race. Pit crew members may also communicate with the driver during pit stops to coordinate repairs or adjustments. Overall, the success of an F1 team relies on the collaborative efforts of all its members, from the engineers to the mechanics to the drivers.

How do F1 salaries compare to other motorsports?

F1 is one of the highest-paying motorsports in the world, with top-level drivers and support staff earning millions of dollars per year. However, salaries can vary widely depending on the specific role and level of experience. In general, F1 salaries are higher than those in other motorsports such as NASCAR or IndyCar.

How much does a F1 cameraman get paid?

How much an F1 cameraman gets paid is a broad answer, ranging from $25 USD an hour to $400 USD an hour based on their experience.

It is important to note that F1 cameramen are not employed directly by the F1 teams but rather by production companies hired by the F1 broadcasters. Therefore, the salary of an F1 cameraman may differ from that of a regular cameraman. The average salary of a cameraman in the United Kingdom is around £35,000 per year, but salaries can vary depending on the cameraman’s experience, the size of the production company, and the location of the shoot.

Since F1 is a highly specialized field, salaries may vary based on the cameraman’s experience and expertise, as well as the specific role and responsibilities within the F1 production team.

Is F1 a high paying job?

Yes, F1 is a high-paying job, both for drivers and other members of the teams. According to reports, top F1 drivers can earn tens of millions of dollars per year in salary, bonuses, and endorsements. The exact amount varies depending on the driver’s performance, popularity, and contract negotiations, but some of the highest-paid drivers in recent years have reportedly earned more than $40 million per year.

In addition to the drivers, other members of F1 teams, such as engineers, mechanics, and team managers, can also earn significant salaries. These roles require specialized skills and expertise, and the demands of the sport mean that team members may work long hours and travel extensively throughout the year.

Overall, F1 is one of the highest-paying sports in the world, and its top performers can earn significant rewards for their talent and hard work. However, it’s worth noting that the high salaries are typically reserved for a small number of top performers, and many people who work in the sport may earn more modest salaries.

Is being an F1 engineer stressful?

Being an F1 engineer can be a highly stressful job due to the intense pressure and demands of the sport. F1 teams operate in a highly competitive environment, where even small performance gains can make a significant difference in the race results. As a result, engineers are under constant pressure to develop and improve their team’s cars, often working long hours and under tight deadlines.

In addition to the technical demands of the job, F1 engineers must also work closely with other members of the team, including drivers, mechanics, and team managers. This requires strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work effectively under pressure.

The stress of the job can also be compounded by the travel demands of the sport, as F1 teams compete in races all over the world throughout the year. This can mean long periods away from home and family, as well as the challenges of adapting to different time zones and cultures.

Despite the challenges, many F1 engineers find the job rewarding and fulfilling, with the opportunity to work at the cutting edge of automotive technology and be part of a highly skilled and dedicated team. However, it’s worth noting that the high stress levels of the job can also take a toll on mental and physical health, and many teams take steps to support their employees’ well-being through programs such as stress management training and employee assistance programs.

How many hours a week do F1 engineers work?

The number of hours that F1 engineers work can vary depending on their role and the demands of the job. However, it’s common for F1 engineers to work long hours, often exceeding the typical 40-hour workweek.

According to some reports, F1 engineers can work up to 80 hours per week during the racing season, which typically runs from March to December. This can include long days at the track during race weekends, as well as extensive travel and preparation time.

Outside of the racing season, F1 engineers may still work long hours as they prepare for the next season, developing new technologies and refining their team’s cars. This can involve working on simulations, data analysis, and other technical tasks, often under tight deadlines.

It’s worth noting that while long hours are common in F1 engineering, many teams also prioritize work-life balance and employee well-being. This can include offering flexible work arrangements, providing mental health support, and encouraging employees to take time off to recharge.

Do F1 engineers go to races?

Yes, F1 engineers typically attend races as part of their job. Engineers play a crucial role in the success of an F1 team, and their knowledge and expertise are essential to the performance of the cars on the track.

During race weekends, F1 engineers work closely with the drivers and other members of the team to monitor the performance of the cars, analyze data, and make adjustments to the setup as needed. This requires a deep understanding of the technical aspects of the cars, as well as strong communication and problem-solving skills.

In addition to their work at the track, F1 engineers also play a key role in the development of the team’s cars and technologies throughout the year. This can involve working on simulations, data analysis, and other technical tasks, often in collaboration with other engineers and experts.

Overall, attending races is an important part of an F1 engineer’s job, and it provides a unique opportunity to see the cars in action and work closely with the rest of the team to achieve success on the track.

Are there any female F1 engineers?

Yes, there are female F1 engineers, although they remain a minority in the sport. Historically, F1 has been a male-dominated field, but in recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need for greater diversity and inclusion in the sport.

One notable female F1 engineer is Ruth Buscombe, who worked as a strategy engineer for the Williams F1 team, and Dalia Ramos who is the Head of Build and Test for the BWT Alpine F1 team. Other female engineers have worked in various roles across the sport, including aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics, and data analysis.

While the number of female F1 engineers remains relatively small, there are initiatives underway to encourage more women to pursue careers in engineering and motorsport. For example, the FIA’s Women in Motorsport Commission promotes gender diversity in all areas of motorsport, and many teams have launched their own programs to support and mentor young women in the field.

Are there any female F1 pit crew?

Yes, there have been female F1 pit crew members in the past, although they remain a minority in the sport. Pit crew members play a crucial role in the success of an F1 team, performing rapid tire changes, fueling, and other essential tasks during pit stops.

In recent years, there have been efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in F1, including a push to recruit more women to work in the sport. Some teams have launched their own initiatives to support female pit crew members, and there have been several high-profile examples of women working in pit crew roles.

For example, in 2021, the Venturi Formula E team made history by fielding a pit crew that was entirely made up of women. Similarly, in 2020, the Richard Mille Racing team made history by fielding an all-female crew for the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.

While the number of female pit crew members in F1 remains relatively small, there are efforts underway to encourage more women to pursue careers in motorsport and to break down barriers to entry in the sport.