A University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) student has secured a coveted position with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, based in Silverstone, before even completing his degree.
Nathan Evans, 21, from Bridgend, is set to begin his career in elite motorsport engineering after graduating from UWTSD’s Motorsport Engineering programme. His appointment marks a significant milestone in a journey driven by a passion for engineering, motorsport, and hands-on mechanical work.
Throughout his studies, Nathan combined academic learning with practical experience, developing expertise in vehicle engineering, manufacturing, testing, and simulation. His final-year dissertation focused on the design, manufacture, and validation of carbon fibre composite tubes for motorsport chassis applications, bringing together advanced materials research, testing, and engineering analysis.
Alongside his studies, Nathan played a key role in the University’s rally team, helping to prepare a BMW 130i rally car to Motorsport UK regulations, while also gaining valuable industry experience with Innovate Composites and motorsport engineering company MST in North Wales.
Nathan’s achievements were further recognised when he received the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Project Award, celebrating his academic performance, engineering ability, and completion of an outstanding research and development project in Mechanical Engineering.
Nathan said: “Securing a role with Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team is something I am incredibly proud of. When I started my degree, working in Formula One was an ambition, but over time my focus became developing into the best engineer I could be. The course gave me the opportunity to build both the technical knowledge and practical experience needed to take this next step.
“One of the most rewarding parts of my degree was seeing how the different areas of engineering come together in real projects. From manufacturing composite components and analysing test data to working on rally cars and motorsport projects, every experience helped build the skills and confidence I needed to pursue a career in Formula One.”
Nathan said he chose UWTSD because of its strong emphasis on practical engineering and real-world application. He credits the course with helping him develop the confidence, technical skills and problem-solving ability required to succeed in a highly competitive industry.
“I would encourage anyone considering a career in motorsport or engineering to take every opportunity available to them,” he added. “Getting involved in practical projects, work experience and extracurricular activities taught me just as much as the classroom and helped me understand what it takes to work in a professional engineering environment.”
Nathan is now excited to begin his new role and continue developing his career within motorsport and high-performance automotive engineering.
“I am looking forward to learning from experienced engineers, applying the skills I have developed during my degree and continuing to grow within the industry,” he said.
Dr Kerry Tudor, Senior Lecturer in Automotive and Motorsport Engineering said “Nathan’s achievement is an excellent example of how combining academic learning with hands-on experience and extracurricular engagement can produce industry-ready engineers. By applying the theoretical knowledge gained in lectures within workshop and project settings, he developed the skills required to deliver a high-quality final-year project, which was recognised with the IMechE Project Award. This well-rounded development has ultimately enabled him to secure an outstanding graduate position within Formula One.”
