A 15-year-old Formula 1 fan's dream came true this weekend when she was hired to join McLaren's team for the British Grand Prix.

Olivia Lawson, from Buckinghamshire, was named the Mastercard McLaren team’s first Junior Race Engineer, a position which will see her gain valuable experience with the race experts.

Olivia beat a grid-full of applicants to win the nationwide competition and earn pole position by impressing judges with her passion for motorsport, her ambition to pursue a career in engineering and her standout model car construction skills.

Her first day in the role began with a VIP tour of the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, led by Kenny Kong, Reliability Engineer and STEM Ambassador, McLaren Racing. Olivia explored the team’s state-of-the-art facilities and got hands-on experience by helping assemble Ayrton Senna’s MP4-8 from 1993, his last race winning car, as well as applying decals to a race car to bridge theory with practice in preparation of race day.

Olivia said: "I have been obsessed with cars and motorsport since I was tiny. To be given the opportunity to see the magic of motor racing up close is a dream come true. Becoming an engineer has always been my goal and I never thought it would happen this soon – let alone with McLaren! I can’t wait to join the team at their home race."

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Charlie Carrington, Mastercard senior vice president of marketing and communications, said: “To be part of the McLaren Formula 1 Team in the lead up to one of the most iconic races in the calendar is not just exciting - it's full throttle, turbo-charged and totally priceless.

“We hope that this amazing opportunity turbo charges Olivia’s journey to becoming an engineer and provides her with unforgettable memories. This initiative with McLaren is one of the many ways Mastercard connects people to their passions and puts the next generation in pole position."

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The McLaren Formula 1 Team and Mastercard designed the Junior Race Engineer competition to inspire the next generation of motorsport fans and engineers. Open to children aged 9-15, the initiative offers a rare glimpse into the technology and teamwork behind a world-class racing team.

The Junior Race Engineer initiative builds upon the multi-year partnership that was announced in 2024 between Mastercard and McLaren, two pre-eminent brands known for their focus on innovation and for setting the standard in offering incredible experiences that bring people closer to their passions.