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Bernadette “Bernie” Collins is a Northern Irish engineer who turned her decade-long Formula 1 career into a broadcasting phenomenon as Sky Sports F1 and F1TV’s strategy analyst—bringing razor-sharp race insight to millions while breaking barriers for women in motorsport’s most cerebral role.

EARLY YEARS

Born in 1986 or 1987 in Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, Bernie Collins never imagined she’d end up in motorsport. Growing up in the small village, she remembers Formula 1 being on television without paying much attention to it. She attended Tattygar Primary School and later Mount Lourdes Grammar School, where she excelled academically. After some careful consideration, Collins applied to study mechanical engineering at Queen’s University Belfast—a decision that would change everything. She was accepted, and thus began her unlikely journey from rural Northern Ireland to the heart of the world’s most elite racing series.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the high-octane world of Formula 1, Collins leads a surprisingly grounded life in Warwick, in the hinterland of Silverstone. She fosters guide dogs and volunteers as a first-aider for St John Ambulance—a commitment that reflects her quiet dedication to service work outside the paddock. When she’s not analyzing tire strategies or explaining pit stop decisions, you might find her in the pub, where locals occasionally remark that her job is “an unusual role for a girl”—a comment she’s heard often enough to find it more amusing than annoying.

EARLY SUCCESS

After graduating from Queen’s University Belfast with a degree in mechanical engineering, Collins began working with various motorsport teams, including United Autosport, owned by Zak Brown. In 2013, she was given the opportunity to cover two races as performance engineer for Tom Stallard, who now serves as Oscar Piastri’s race engineer. The break was small but significant—it got her foot in the door. By 2014, Bernie landed a role as performance engineer for Jenson Button, a position that demanded not just technical expertise but also a sharp sense of strategy and strong communication skills. Working alongside a world champion gave her invaluable experience and credibility in the paddock, proving she could handle the pressure at the highest level.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2012: Named an ambassador for the United Kingdom government’s “Make it in Great Britain” campaign[1].
• 2014: Served as performance engineer for Jenson Button[2].
• 2015: Joined Force India (later Racing Point, then Aston Martin) as performance and strategy engineer to Nico Hülkenberg and later Sergio Pérez[3].
• 2015: Helped the team achieve a podium finish for Sergio Pérez at the Russian Grand Prix[4].
• 2016: Featured on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list for manufacturing[5].
• 2020: Masterminded Sergio Pérez’s shock victory at the Sakhir Grand Prix while working at Racing Point—a result that came after a disastrous first lap left Pérez in last place, requiring a superb recovery effort and a slice of luck[6].
• 2021–2022: Promoted to Head of Race Strategy at Aston Martin, where she worked with Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll[7].
• 2023: Joined Sky Sports F1 and F1TV as strategy analyst, becoming one of the most trusted voices in race coverage[8].
• 2024: Published “How to Win a Grand Prix: From Pit Lane to Podium,” lifting the lid on how an F1 team really works[9].
• 2025: Appointed to a new role with the Grand Prix Trust, celebrated by colleague Martin Brundle[10].

INSPIRATIONS

Collins has spoken about the importance of passion as a driving force in her career. “I did not ever expect I would be in such a wonderful place,” she told Females in Motorsport. “I’ve always been fascinated with the possibilities of engineering.” She’s also emphasized the need to push past preconceived notions about women in STEM fields and motorsport, noting that her ability has consistently outshone any bias she’s encountered. Her journey has been defined less by deliberate ambition and more by seizing unexpected opportunities—a mindset she’s carried throughout her career.

REPUTATION

Bernie Collins is widely regarded as one of the most dependable sources of evidence-based logic in Formula 1 broadcasting. Her analytical approach cuts through the hyper-manic coverage that often defines race weekends, offering viewers clarity on the strategic chess match unfolding on track. Former colleagues describe her as meticulous and unflappable under pressure. She’s named Sebastian Vettel as the best driver she’s worked with and has publicly defended Lance Stroll, saying people don’t give him enough credit for his abilities. Her work promoting STEM roles in F1—particularly for women—has made her a role model in the paddock. She’s been vocal about the importance of representation and has used her platform to encourage young women to explore opportunities in motorsport engineering and strategy.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

With her broadcasting career flourishing and her book gaining traction, Collins continues to expand her influence beyond the pit wall. Her recent appointment to a role with the Grand Prix Trust in 2025 signals her ongoing commitment to the sport’s development and charitable work. She remains a key voice in Formula 1 media, and her ability to explain complex strategy in accessible terms ensures she’ll be a fixture in race coverage for years to come. Whether she’ll return to a team role remains unclear, but for now, she’s exactly where the sport needs her—educating fans, championing STEM, and proving that the sharpest minds in F1 don’t all wear fireproof suits.

REFERENCES

[1] Bernadette Collins – Wikipedia
[2] Bernie Collins: “Passion can drive you anywhere” – Females in Motorsport
[3] Bernadette Collins – Wikipedia
[4] Bernie Collins – Inspirational Speakers
[5] Bernie Collins: Inspiring F1 Strategist – Kruger Cowne
[6] Sky F1’s Bernie Collins reveals secrets behind SHOCK victory – GPFans
[7] Bernie Collins: Inspiring F1 Strategist – Kruger Cowne
[8] From Engineer to Analyst | Bernie Collins’s Inspirational Journey – Queen’s University Belfast
[9] How to Win a Grand Prix: From Pit Lane to Podium – Goodreads
[10] Sky F1 star lands new role as Martin Brundle ‘delighted’ – GPFans
Bernadette “Bernie” Collins on F1, TV, and engineering – Red Bull
Women pioneering motorsports – Bernie Collins – ENRG Sport
Formula One’s Bernie Collins: ‘People in the pub will say that’s an unusual role for a girl’ – Irish Times
Bernadette Collins: “You need not worry about other people’s perception of you” – Females in Motorsport
From Pit Wall to Pundit: The Story of Bernadette Collins – Along the Racing Line