Biiftuu: Engineering Speed and Breaking Barriers at Mercedes AMG F1
From a Top Gear fan to a Powertrain Integration Design Engineer, Biiftuu shares how passion, perseverance, and mentoring helped her thrive in the male-dominated world of Formula 1—and why she’s pushing for a more accessible motorsport future.
Can you introduce yourself and your work in motorsport?
I’m Biiftuu, and I’m a Powertrain Integration Design Engineer at Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team.
What initially drew you to the world of motorsport, and how did you begin your journey in this exciting environment?
My interest in cars started during secondary school. Believe it or not it started from loving the show Top Gear. From that, I started to watch F1 and was drawn into the sport as a huge fan of Lewis Hamilton and decided I wanted to work here one day. I went on to study Automotive Engineering at university and I loved all of the projects which involved design, so I did a placement year at BMW as a Design Engineer working in HV battery development. After my studies, I worked at McLaren Automotive as a Junior Design Engineer before moving to Mercedes where I am now.
As a woman, have you encountered specific challenges or, conversely, particular opportunities in this traditionally male-dominated industry?
Being in the minority within any group can be daunting. F1 is incredibly white male-dominated in technical roles which is definitely noticeable and can sometimes be the first thing you notice or think about when you walk into a room. It can become a mental challenge and you have to remind yourself that you are there on merit and have earned your place here through your excellent work just like everyone else. I have been fortunate that I’ve been a part of great teams in my career so far. In addition I’ve been able to pursue opportunities to volunteer in STEM outreach programmes such as mentoring schemes and career talks which I love.
In your opinion, what are the most essential skills (technical, interpersonal, personal) required to succeed and thrive in your field within motorsport?
Technical competency is a must since every team’s aim is to be the best at what they do. It’s also worth thinking about what makes you stand out from the rest when applying for roles in the industry. When it comes to interpersonal skills, networking is your best friend in F1. It’s a very small world and there is always someone who knows someone, so making the most of this is key!
What does a typical day or week look like in your role? Could you give us an overview of your main responsibilities and activities?
As a design engineer in F1, you spend a lot of time designing components using CAD (Computer Aided Design) software on a computer. In that sense, my job is quite typical and in a design office at a desk. My team focuses on parts which integrate into the power unit, and we work with a lot of different groups across the team to make sure we can find the lightest, fastest solutions to the design problems presented to us.
Motorsport is a high-pressure environment. How do you manage the stress and inherent challenges of your role, especially during crucial moments like races or project launches?
Skills outside of the technical qualifications and experience are often overlooked. Soft skills are important since at the end of the day, you’re working with other human beings towards a common goal. It’s also just as important to have interests and hobbies outside of the sport and have a way to decompress after a long day/week at work.
Have you had mentors or inspiring figures who have marked your path? And on your side, do you aspire to mentor young talents?
Lewis Hamilton has always been my role model ever since I started watching F1. His success on and off the track is inspiring and watching him throughout his career has definitely shaped my path. I absolutely love to mentor young talents interested in a career in F1 and am always open to answer questions.
If you could change one thing in motorsport to make it even better, what would it be and why?
Making motorsport more accessible! Companies, teams, racetracks etc in the industry are often in small towns in the UK which are far and hard to get to if you live outside of the UK or in a big city. Improved access would help greatly to diversify the sport and encourage young people to get involved through internships, work experience and career programmes.