Here's to being bold, brave and anything but ordinary. As we celebrate individuality in F1 together with our official fashion partner, BOSS, meet members of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team who are igniting the power within to unlock their full potential and push the boundaries.
Mechanical Design Engineer Michael Okeke explains how random acts of kindness make him a better person and a more effective engineer...
Mechanical Design is a bond between parts
"A lot of the work we do on the suspension side of Mechanical Design is to take the surfaces the aero department have modelled and create a full-sized part that will integrate with the mix of carbon and metallic suspension components we design, to connect the chassis to the wheel and upright assemblies. That's mainly my day-to-day, but there's so much more than that in Mechanical Design as a whole.
"We're also the main designers of the brake system and the steering system, in addition to the suspension outboard assemblies. We also help integrate the rear suspension we get from Mercedes, to suit the ride and aerodynamic requirements of our car."
Always improving
"Some of the components I've worked on since I joined the team in 2021, for example suspension shrouding, are frequently updated throughout the year. You're constantly iterating, finding ways to improve on the part you designed before to make the most of what the aero team has proposed. Because the regulations are strict and with cost cap in place, you can't make radically different designs, but you can definitely add your own innovation to it."
Why wouldn't you be nice to everyone you interact with?
Inspiration often comes from stepping back
"Before leaving the AMR Technology Campus, I sometimes have a last check of what I'm working on up on my computer screen, just so it's ticking over in the back of my mind. Obviously, you don't want to be working 24/7, but just having it there in the back of your mind, all of a sudden you might think, 'Oh, let's do it like that.' or 'Oh, I need to make that modification.'
"You can't just be zoned in on your work the whole time. It's easy to fall into the trap of doing something the same way because that's the way it's always been – sometimes you need that fresh mind and a fresh way of looking at things."
Spreading kindness goes a long way
"I like to be kind to people. If people say you put a smile on their face or they feel happier because of something you've done, however small it is, it feels… well, why wouldn't you be nice to everyone you interact with, everyone you meet at work and in your day-to-day life? Spreading a bit of kindness each day can go a long way.
"Where does that come from? My family, my parents, my siblings – two brothers, one sister. It's my friends around me, my extended family. My faith as well. I am Christian, Roman Catholic, and that's a big part of my life and my family's life. So that's combined with how my parents brought me up to be who I am. I think all of it combined to make me want to be kind to people and to spread positivity where I can."
Celebrate the small victories
"Sometimes, even when I've done a small thing on my computer to make a part work, or make the software work as I want to, I'll celebrate under my breath with a 'yeah!' It's not exactly groundbreaking, but just getting over that bump in the road makes you feel good. I think if you are positive about that, it feeds into the people around you and then when they get those small wins they'll feel even more positive about them too."
Above all, I'm thankful
"I'm grateful to be where I am. Formula One is something I've enjoyed and been passionate about since I was a kid, since my dad was watching Michael Schumacher all those years ago. I'm proud to be a member of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team; the people around me here and at home – friends, family – instil a lot of confidence in me."
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