Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Autosport Plus

Secret mechanic: Blind panic time

Last-minute rethinks, trying to make designers' brainwaves fit together in reality, and no idea if the car is even quick... These are stressful days for F1 crews, as AUTOSPORT's anonymous insider relates

Pre-season is always a tough time for every Formula 1 team. Some of my lowest moments have occurred in the run up to a new season as working hours hit new limits, fatigue builds and frustration begins to counterbalance the excitement and optimism of the upcoming campaign... even before a wheel's been turned in anger.

The worst thing was, we'd all have a slightly longer Christmas break than many outside the sport due to the accrued holiday throughout the previous season, so we'd just about slip back into some form of normal life with friends and family, and then get that 'back-to-school' feeling ahead of the first working day of the year.

Previous article Caterham becomes first F1 team to reveal 2014 engine test audio
Next article Why Boullier is the right man for McLaren

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe