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Engineering student takes pole position with F1 job
03/11/2016
A University of Wolverhampton engineering graduate has raced ahead of the competition by bagging a role at Mercedes Formula One.
Nathan Tupper, 23 from Petersfield, Hampshire, was part of the University of Wolverhampton Racing (UWR) team, which gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on motorsports experience. He recently graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in Motorsport from the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Nathan has been appointed on a fixed term contract as an Engine Systems Technician at Mercedes AMG in Brackley, Northamptonshire. Mercedes-Benz runs the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Racing Team - one of the most successful teams in F1 history having achieved back to back drivers and constructors titles in 2014 and 2015. In the 2016 season, Mercedes have won 13 of the first 14 races. The team boasts world-class racing drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
David Tucker, Team Principal & Principal Lecturer in Motorsport at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “The investment into our engineering facilities provides a really attractive course offering for students who want to study motorsport. We have committed sponsors on board, students have their own cars to work on and they get the opportunity to compete in real-life competitions while relating all their theory into practise on the race track.
“Nathan was a highly committed and competent member of the Race Team for F3, Morgan Challenge & Formula Student, and we’re all delighted that his hard work has paid off with the offer of employment within the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula One!”
The University owns and races four cars, including a Formula Renault 2.0, which was successfully raced in the 2015 Monoposto 2000 Championship and a Formula 3 Dallara F308 which came second recently in the 2016 F3 Cup Championship – missing out on first place by one point. The team also races a Morgan Plus 4 Babydoll in the AR Morgan Challenge as part of the University’s development partnership with the Morgan Motor Company.
Nathan said: “This is a dream come true for me! It was always my aim to find a job within Motorsport or the performance car sector, which as a kid I would never have thought would be possible.
“I chose to study at the University of Wolverhampton purely for the opportunities available to me alongside my degree in Motorsport. To be able to be part of both the F3 team, Morgan and Formula Student team allowed me to gain practical experience alongside my degree, which was not offered to the same extent as other universities.
“I have always been a fan of Motorsport and interested in cars so to have a degree in this area was obviously of interest. For this to then open doors into a career of something I enjoy definitely made my mind up to study the degree.”
Engineering students are taught how to run a car professionally under the help and guidance of the UWR Team comprised of university staff and students as part of their studies in Motorsport Engineering, or as an addition from other engineering courses including Automotive, Mechanical and Mechatronics. The team has raced and taken home trophies from world famous tracks such as Spa Francorchamps, Brands Hatch, Donington Park and the home of British GP, Silverstone.
Although juggling the extra-curricular activities with his studies was a challenge at times, Nathan says the help of staff and the amazing facilities at the University’s Telford Innovation Campus made it all possible.
“The University has been able to provide me with all the tools I need to achieve a decent job within the industry I have chosen to pursue. The staff have always been helpful and the facilities we are provided with are fantastic and are forever improving. So for anyone looking to come to the University of Wolverhampton I would 100% say join! I wish I could stay.”
Overall, 96 per cent of students who graduated from the University of Wolverhampton in 2015 were in work or further study six months after they had left – positioning the University as second in the UK*, outperforming the UK average for all universities and a record high for the University.
Anyone interested in studying engineering at the University of Wolverhampton should check out the website or visit our next Open Day at Telford Innovation Campus on Saturday 19th November 2016.
ENDS
*Source: DLHE 2014/15. For universities with 2,000-3,000 graduating students (full-time undergraduate).
For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2736 or 01902 518647.
Date Issued: 4th November 2016
For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.
