Formula One is a global business but the UK is most definitely the centre of the universe when it comes to Formula One Engineering and Technology. This means we are lucky enough to have six state of the art facilities, all in one area - Motorsport Valley, in the heart of England. In this article we look into the actual facilities each team based in the UK possesses.
Motorsport Valley in the uk
Red Bull Racing
Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Welcome to the Red Bull Technology Campus, a sprawling complex in Milton Keynes that's home to the four-time Formula 1 World Champions. This place is buzzing with activity, with over 1,500 people working to design, manufacture, and assemble the team's championship-winning cars.
Image: Destination Milton Keynes
Campus Layout & Facilities Size
Facility Size: Approximately 700,000 square feet Employee Count: Over 1,500
Main Buildings
- MK-7: Event spaces, boardroom, meeting rooms, mezzanine with race car collection. The Red Bull Ring Boardroom: Newly refurbished with advanced AV equipment.
- Factory: Design, manufacturing, and assembly of cars.
- Red Bull Advanced Technologies: High-performance vehicle engineering division.
- Key Technical Facilities: Off-site wind tunnel. Driver-in-loop simulator.
- Red Bull Powertrains: Power unit design and development.
- Employee Amenities: Cafeteria. Gym. Social spaces in MK-7 mezzanine.
Local area cost of living
- Average House Price: (3-bedroom): £390,000 (Zoopla)
- Average Rent (2-bedroom apartment): £1,153
Interesting Fact: When constructing the Red Bull Technology Campus, the company chose a specific type of drainage cover that was not only environmentally friendly but also lockable for security reasons.
Future Development: Red Bull is investing heavily in its future with plans for a new wind tunnel scheduled to be operational in 2026. They are also constructing a dedicated Education Centre to inspire young people in STEM subjects, set to open in 2024. Additionally, the team is developing its first in-house hypercar, the RB17, with production scheduled to commence in 2025.
Accessibility
- Transport Links: Located just off the A421, providing access to the M1 and M40 motorways.
- Milton Keynes Central railway station is approximately 8 miles away, with regular bus and taxi services.
- Bus routes serving the campus include the LOOP, M6, and 8.
- The nearest railway station is Fenny Stratford.
- Parking: Available on-site with online booking through Easy Camping Parking.
Find Jobs at Red Bull Racing here
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
Location: Brackley, Northamptonshire
Step into the world of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team at their impressive Brackley headquarters. This state-of-the-art technology center is where Lewis Hamilton and George Russell's championship-winning cars are brought to life.
Image: mercedes
Campus Layout & Facilities Size:
Facility Size: 645,835 square feet Employee Count: Over 1,250
Main Buildings
- Technology Centre: Design, development, manufacturing, and assembly.
- Marketing Building: Expansion of the design office.
- Health and Wellbeing Centre: Restaurant, gym, yoga space.
- Parking Structure: Solar array for electric vehicle charging.
Key Technical Facilities
- On-site wind tunnel.
- Driver-in-loop simulator.
- Dynos for engine testing.
Employee Amenities
- Subsidized restaurant
- Performance Centre Gym
- Breakout areas.
Local area cost of living
- Average House Price (3-bedroom): £400,000 (based on local estate agent listings)
- Average Rent (2-bedroom apartment): £1,200
Interesting Fact: The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team headquarters in Brackley is powered by 100% renewable energy sources.
Future Development: Mercedes is undertaking a £70 million redevelopment of its Brackley headquarters to create a "Silicon Valley-style" campus. This includes new buildings for marketing and employee well-being, a new parking structure with solar panels, and a focus on sustainability with a goal of becoming Net Zero by 2030.
Accessibility
- Transport Links: Close to the A43, linking to the M1 and M40 motorways.
- Nearest train stations are Banbury and Bicester North, with links to London.
- Bus routes include the 132, 131, and 500.
Find jobs at Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team here
McLaren Racing
Location: Woking, Surrey
Prepare to be wowed by the McLaren Technology Centre, an architectural masterpiece in Woking. This iconic building, designed by Norman Foster, is home to not only the McLaren F1 team but also McLaren Automotive and other McLaren Group companies.
Campus Layout & Facilities Size:
Facility Size: 840,000 square feet Employee Count: Over 2,500
- 50-hectare site with artificial lakes and extensive landscaping.
Image: Mclaren - The Mclaren Technology Centre
Main Buildings
- McLaren Technology Centre: Engineering, design, and corporate functions.
- McLaren Production Centre: Manufacturing of McLaren Automotive cars.
- MSO (McLaren Special Operations): Bespoke car customization. Motorsport division.
Key Technical Facilities
- On-site wind tunnel.
- Driver-in-loop simulator.
- Upgraded machine shop.
Employee Amenities
- 700-seat restaurant.
- Gym and fitness center - the newly opened Optimum performance hub.
- Indoor and outdoor breakout areas.
Optimum Nutrition McLaren Performance Hub
Local area cost of living
- Average House Price (3-bedroom): £550,000
- Average Rent (2-bedroom apartment): £1,446
Interesting Fact: The atmospheric pressure in the McLaren Technology Centre's restaurant is slightly lowered and controlled to prevent food smells from spreading to other parts of the building
Accessibility
- Transport Links: Just off the A320, with access to the M25 motorway.
- Woking railway station is 3 miles away, with bus and taxi services.
- Bus routes include the 446 and RA2.
Find Jobs at Mclaren Racing here
Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One® Team
Location: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire
Experience the cutting-edge facilities of the Aston Martin F1 team at their brand-new Technology Campus in Silverstone. This impressive complex is a testament to the team's ambition and commitment to becoming a leading force in Formula 1.
Campus Layout & Facilities Size
Facility Size: 400,000 square feet Employee Count: Over 700
The headquarters of Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team at Silverstone
Image: Aston Martin
Main Buildings
- Building 1: Design, engineering, production, commercial, and manufacturing.
- Building 2: Driver simulator, restaurant, gym, event space.
- Building 3: Wind tunnel and model shops.
Key Technical Facilities
- On-site wind tunnel (commissioned in 2023).
- New driver simulator. Model shops.
Employee Amenities
- Staff restaurant.
- Gym with fitness classes.
- Breakout areas and "technology showcase".
Local Area Cost of Living
- Average House Price (3-bedroom): £450,000
- Average Rent (2-bedroom apartment): £1,225
Interesting Fact: The Aston Martin F1 Technology Campus features a 14-meter-long curved screen in its event space, designed for presentations and immersive experiences.
Accessibility
- Transport Links: Across the road from Silverstone Circuit, with access to the M1 and M40 motorways.
- The nearest train station is Wolverton (10 miles).
- Shuttle buses from Milton Keynes Central, Northampton, and Banbury stations.
Find Jobs at Aston Martin F1 Team here
BWT Alpine F1 Team
Location: Enstone, Oxfordshire
Journey to the heart of Oxfordshire and discover the BWT Alpine F1 Team's Whiteways Technical Centre in Enstone. This purpose-built facility is where the team designs and manufactures its chassis, pushing the boundaries of motorsport engineering.
Image: Autosport
Transport Links
- Near the A44, connecting to Oxford and the M40 motorway.
- Nearest train station is Kingham (6 miles).
- Parking: Temporary car park during site development.
Campus Layout & Facilities Size:
Facility Size: 182,986 square feet Employee Count: Approximately 1,000
- Purpose-built facility costing 50 million Euros.
Main Buildings:
- Whiteways Technical Centre: Design, development, and manufacturing.
- Wind Tunnel Building. R&D Building.
Key Technical Facilities:
- On-site wind tunnel.
- Driver-in-loop simulator.
- Seven post test rig.
Employee Amenities:
- Staff restaurant and pub.
- New gym under construction.
- Breakout areas.
Local area cost of living:
- Average House Price (3-bedroom): £450,000 (based on local estate agent listings)
- Average Rent (2-bedroom apartment): £1,200 (based on local estate agent listings)
Interesting Fact: The Whiteways Technical Centre was one of the first purpose-built Formula 1 facilities in the world, constructed in 1991 for the Benetton F1 team.
Future Development: Alpine F1 Team has submitted planning applications for further upgrades to its Enstone headquarters. These include a workshop extension to the Wind Tunnel Building and a two-storey infill extension to the main factory building to create additional production and plant room areas.
Williams Racing
Location: Grove, Oxfordshire
Delve into the history of Formula 1 at the Williams Racing headquarters in Grove. This facility, steeped in motorsport heritage, is where the team continues to innovate and develop its cars, striving for success in the world's most prestigious racing championship.
Image: Williams
Campus Layout & Facilities Size:
Facility Size: Unknown Employee Count: Approximately 1,100
- Previously owned by Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd.
Main Buildings:
- Main factory building: Design, engineering, and manufacturing.
- Wind tunnel.
- Simulator.
Key Technical Facilities:
- On-site wind tunnel.
- Driver-in-loop simulator.
Employee Amenities:
- Staff restaurant.
- On-site gym.
- Breakout areas.
Local area cost of living:
- Average House Price (3-bedroom): £450,000 (based on local estate agent listings)
- Average Rent (2-bedroom apartment): £1,200 (based on local estate agent listings)
Interesting Fact: The Williams Racing headquarters in Grove features a unique topiary hedge shaped like a Formula One car undergoing a pit stop, complete with a pit crew and front jack.
Accessibility
- Near the A34, providing access to the M4 and M40 motorways.
- The nearest train station is Didcot Parkway (19 minutes by car).
A Tale of Six Facilities
Looking at the core aspects of the facilities, there's significant variation in physical size and workforce. McLaren operates the largest facility at 840,000 square feet with over 2,500 employees - however we must bear in mind that this includes their road car business too! Alpine's Whiteways Technical Centre is notably smaller at 182,986 square feet with around 1,000 staff. Red Bull (700,000 sq ft), Mercedes (645,835 sq ft), and Aston Martin (400,000 sq ft) sit between these extremes. Despite these differences, In terms of technical capabilities, all teams except Red Bull have their wind tunnels on-site, with Aston Martin's being the newest, commissioned in 2023.
Employee wellbeing appears to be a priority across all sites, with each team providing similar amenities like restaurants, gyms, and social spaces. The facilities are strategically positioned near major motorways all within the Motorsport Valley in Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Surrey, and Oxfordshire.
What sets each facility apart are their unique features - from McLaren's impressive Norman Foster architecture and pressure-controlled restaurant to Aston Martin's new immersive presentation screen and Mercedes' commitment to 100% renewable energy. Alpine boast to have the first purpose made F1 facility while the Williams facility is steeped in F1 history - each facility most definitely has its own identity.
