Gunnedah-based field service technician Nick Colwell made the most of his recent opportunity to be involved in the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Nick’s employer Komatsu Australia – the principal partner of Atlassian Williams Racing – has an employee recognition program in which Nick and another employee were nominated to be honorary members of the Atlassian Williams Racing team.
Nick said it was great to meet members of the Atlassian Williams Racing team, including the team principal, head mechanic, leading hand, mechanics and engineers.
“Listening in on the Atlassian Williams Racing team’s morning debrief on the practice day gave us an understanding of the role each team member has and how important team work is for them,” Nick said.
A guided tour through the pit involved having a close look at the car, although Nick and the other visitors were unable to take part in the pitstop practice due to technical reasons.
“(However) we did get a chance to watch in person how they conduct the pitstops,” Nick said.
“(We also had) the opportunity to be in the pits with the mechanics when Atlassian Williams Racing team drivers were out on the track for their practice runs, and getting to tune in with headsets to get an insight on what some of the things that they discuss with the engineers when they are out on the track.
“We (also) had a guided tour through the paddock where all the other race teams are stationed as well as Atlassian Williams Racing.”
Nick said the highlight for him was having the opportunity to talk to the leading hand of the mechanics, and ask questions about how he became a member of the Formula 1 team and what it entails on a daily basis as well as what they get up to behind the scenes.
“Being given the opportunity to be a part of the day in the life program and have the chance to spend the weekend at the Formula 1 Grand Prix, it was a fantastic weekend,” he said.
“I learnt a lot I can take back to my everyday role.”
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