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Valvoline Mechanics Month ends with visit from NASCAR Champion Jeff Gordon

Mechanics Month Round Up Header

Together with our Official Lubricant Partner Valvoline Global, we have celebrated Mechanics Month throughout March, highlighting the irreplaceable skill and craftsmanship of mechanics globally.

In its sixth year, Mechanics Month aims to celebrate often-unsung heroes of the mobility industry. This year's theme, 'The Future is in Your Hands', honours and champions the hands that shape tomorrow, emphasising mechanics irreplaceable role in driving progress and innovation, both within Formula One and in the wider global mobility sector.

Throughout March, we teamed up with our Official Lubricant Partner, Valvoline Global, on multiple activations - from inspiring the next generation, highlighting our own mechanics and culminating in a visit to the AMR Technology Campus by NASCAR Champion Jeff Gordon.

Jamal Muashsher, CEO, Valvoline Global Operations, said: "At Valvoline Global, we are passionate about celebrating the contributions of mechanics worldwide. Our collaboration with Aston Martin Aramco on the Mechanics Month initiative champions the hands-on work of mechanics both within Formula 1 and beyond.

"By providing students with mentorship and resources, we help bridge the global skills gap and support the next generation in building successful careers. These young mechanics will drive the future of the industry, tackle evolving challenges, and may even become elite engineers behind Aston Martin Aramco Formula One's success."

Take a look back at the celebrations from the month...

ASPIRING MECHANICS PROGRAMME

Returning for a second year, the Valvoline Aspiring Mechanics Programme is run in collaboration with Milton Keynes College. The programme allows students the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning and mentorship. 

50 design and mechanics students from the college were invited to visit the AMR Technology Campus, meeting key members of the Aston Martin Aramco team and taking part in fireside chats, masterclasses and tours of the facilities.

Students also took part in a competition, with the winner receiving a week's immersion session working alongside the F1 Evolution Team and seeing their livery designs come to life.

"We are proud to continue supporting Valvoline Global's Mechanics Month initiative," said Mark Gray, Head of Build & Car Assembly at Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team. "Mechanics play a crucial role in our sport – without them, racing wouldn't be possible. It was a pleasure to welcome students from Milton Keynes College, give them a behind-the-scenes look at our work, and hopefully inspire the next generation of mechanics, whether in Formula 1 or the broader mobility industry."

INSPIRING YOUNG WOMEN

This year, the team and Valvoline Global also launched an Aspiring Female Mechanics Programme, which worked with Milton Keynes College and other local schools to deliver cross-curriculum workshops tailored towards a female audience, to showcase the variety of careers within the world of motorsport.

The number of girls who would now consider a career as a mechanic increased by 21 per cent after just one workshop.

Valvoline Mechanics Month

Inspiring young female mechanics

In celebration of Mechanics Month, we hosted a series of talks with Valvoline at Milton Keynes College aimed at inspiring female students to become the next generation of motorsport talent.

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Inspiring Female Mechanics With Valvoline YouTube fragment

HIGHLIGHTING OUR MECHANICS

At the track, 'The Future is in Your Hands' branding adorned the gloves of the race team's pit crew at pre-season testing in Bahrain, as well as the Australian and Chinese Grand Prix.

Alongside this, our mechanics, both at track and at the AMR Technology Campus, featured heavily in social content, showcasing the wide range of roles within the team.

Valvoline Global and Aston Martin Aramco will continue to support mechanics throughout the season and beyond.

EXCHANGING KNOWLEDGE WITH JEFF GORDON

The month's activities culminated in a visit to the AMR Technology Campus by Jeff Gordon, four-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and Hendrick Motorsport Vice Chairman.

His visit to the AMR Technology Campus marked the first time he had visited an F1 campus, where he shared knowledge between disciplines, highlighting the vital role mechanics play in both F1 and NASCAR operations.

Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman, Hendrick Motorsport, said: "This is my first visit to an F1 campus, and it's really fascinating to see the differences and similarities with NASCAR. One clear commonality is the vital role of mechanics. As drivers, we rely on their expertise and trust, just as they rely on our feedback. Motorsport isn't an individual sport – it's built on teamwork and relationships. Every mechanic is crucial to the success, and that trust is what makes this sport so special."

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