Bernie Collins
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Bernadette Collins rose from a Northern Ireland farm to become one of Formula One’s most respected strategy engineers, working at McLaren, Force India, and Aston Martin before becoming F1 analyst.
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At the end of 2014, even though I thought I’d done enough to stay, I was told I wouldn’t be traveling in 2015. I really wanted to stay trackside…
It’s a very different environment and a big step up. It can also be a harsh environment at times, especially in the first year.
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FULL BIO: Bernie Collins
Bernie Collins carved out her place in Formula One not behind the wheel, but as one of the sport’s most respected strategy engineers, rising from a Northern Ireland farm to the pinnacle of motorsport through sheer determination and engineering brilliance.
EARLY YEARS
Growing up on a farm in Northern Ireland, Bernadette Collins discovered her passion for mechanics the old-fashioned way—getting her hands dirty alongside her father, constructing and dismantling farm machinery. This early exposure to nuts, bolts, and problem-solving laid the foundation for what would become a groundbreaking career in motorsport engineering. The farm girl who loved figuring out how things worked would eventually pursue mechanical engineering at Queen’s University Belfast, graduating with an MEng in 2009. During university, she threw herself into the Formula Student programme, ultimately becoming team leader in her final year—a role that would prove to be her gateway into the high-octane world of Formula One.
OTHER INTERESTS
While Bernie’s professional life has been consumed by the technical demands of Formula One, details about her interests outside the paddock remain largely private, reflecting the intense focus required to succeed in motorsport’s most demanding environment.
EARLY SUCCESS
Fresh out of university in 2009, Collins landed a graduate trainee position with McLaren—a dream start that quickly proved to be a masterclass in resilience. She rotated through multiple departments, gaining invaluable experience in design work on suspensions and transmissions. But Bernie wasn’t content to stay in the factory. She volunteered as an engineer at GP3 series race weekends, desperate to gain trackside experience. Her persistence paid off when she made her first trackside appearance as a performance engineer at the 2012 German Grand Prix. By late 2013, she was temporarily taking over as McLaren’s primary performance engineer, then securing the role full-time in 2014, working closely with World Champion Jenson Button. But Formula One’s brutal nature struck in 2014 when, despite what she considered solid performance, McLaren informed her she wouldn’t be traveling trackside in 2015—a crushing blow that would have ended lesser careers.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2009: Graduated MEng Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University Belfast and joined McLaren as graduate trainee.
- 2012: Named to UK government’s “Make it in Great Britain” 30 Under 30 list for engineering achievements.
- 2012: Made first trackside appearance as performance engineer at German Grand Prix.
- 2013: Became race engineer at United Autosports GT Racing Team.
- 2014: Secured full-time F1 performance engineer role at McLaren, working with Jenson Button.
- 2015: Joined Force India F1 Team as half performance engineer, half strategy engineer.
- 2015: Contributed to Force India’s 4th place finish in Constructors’ Championship.
- 2022: Became Head of Race Strategy at Aston Martin F1 Team.
- 2022: Transitioned to Formula One strategy analyst for Sky Sports and F1TV.
INSPIRATIONS
Bernie’s father remains her primary inspiration, the man who first showed her that understanding how machines work could be more than just a hobby. Her professional relationship with Jenson Button during her McLaren days provided significant influence, giving her firsthand experience of what it takes to compete at Formula One’s highest level. The mentors she encountered during her McLaren graduate programme and at United Autosports helped shape her understanding of trackside operations and race strategy.
REPUTATION
Collins has earned recognition as one of Formula One’s most accomplished strategy engineers, with over a decade of top-tier experience across multiple championship-contending teams. Her technical acumen and strategic thinking have made her a respected voice in the paddock, while her journey from farm mechanic to F1 strategist has established her as an inspirational role model for women in engineering and motorsports. The fact that she’s worked successfully at McLaren, Force India, and Aston Martin speaks to her adaptability and skill in the sport’s most demanding technical roles. Her transition to broadcasting has only enhanced her reputation, bringing her strategic insights to fans worldwide.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Currently focused on her role as Formula One strategy analyst for Sky Sports and F1TV, Bernie continues to share her expertise with racing fans around the world. While she hasn’t announced any plans to return to a team engineering role, her deep knowledge and proven track record suggest that top-tier opportunities will always be available should she choose to return to the paddock full-time.
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