5 minute read
Lights Out!
LESLIE MYRICK
When you open yourself up to the Universe-magic can happen. If someone told me that I would be interested in Formula1 racing I would have told them they were absolutely crazy. I am 100% not a race car person. I don’t even like going over 70 in my own car. I would rather do anything than watch or talk about race cars. All that changed one July day!
In July, I met a man who’s interested in all things cars. Loves race cars and really loves Porches. He told me about Formula1 and suggested I watch the Netflix show, “Drive to Survive” as a fun way to be introduced to racing. It only took two episodes of the fast paced, sexy, slick series which showcased the drivers, races, and behind the scenes drama for me to be hooked!
A few weeks later I experienced my first race. The cars lined up and the commentator said, “Lights out here at the Belgian Grand Prix.” Without moving, or blinking, I watched all 44 laps and before I knew it the race was over. I wanted more!
At first, my questions were pretty superficial, “Why are the cars so loud?” “Why so many laps?” “Isn’t it cramped in the cars?” But as the months went on, I wanted to know, “What kind of material are the cars made from?” “What makes them go that fast?” “Are the drivers considered athletes?” They must have to do crazy training?” “Is there one mechanic for each section of the car?” and “Where are the female drivers?”
During the pre-race shows on ESPN or the Netflix series, I began noticing that I didn’t see many women in the paddock, or any female mechanics. The women were either the driver’s handlers, marketing and PR personnel. I became curious, were there any women engineers in Formula1 and if yes, why wasn’t Netflix showing them?
After a few months of watching live races and completing “Drive to Survive” I was having in-depth conversations about cars, races, and drivers. I cheered on my drivers and had my favorite team principals. It was fun predicting how the races would turn out even though almost all of the races were ending with, as my friend said, “Max (Verstappen) so far ahead he just passed a Delorean in the future!”
The Singapore race had me dreaming of seeing a race in person. Which one of the many exotic locations would I choose? Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Austria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Italy, Singapore, or Belgium? I began favoring The Monaco Grande Prix. Its romantic charm of a long-standing race car history; the first race was held in 1929. Watching the drivers navigate the super narrow streets of Monaco, the skinny dark tunnel at speeds of well over 190 miles per hour, felt extremely dangerous and yet simultaneously very cool!
In Montreal on New Year’s Eve 2023, at one of the best restaurants in Old Montréal, fate seated us next to Taylor** and Tyler. While sharing with us that they both attend University and are studying engineering, Taylor said, “I am in my last year of Mechanical Engineering at Concordia University, with particular focus on internal combustion engines, aerodynamics and advanced physics.”
Looking across the table at my date’s face wide eyed, mouth open, an inquisitive look of, “How can this be happening? Did you arrange this?” She continued, “I’m particularly fascinated by automotive design. I intend to design race cars in the future, especially F1 type cars. My capstone project was a completely new concept for competitive race cars, which implements ideas of quantum physics and shifting centers of gravity. This is a concept that I intend to bring to other automotive markets as well, including modern electric street cars. Altogether, I just really want to design cool and fast cars!” Continued on page 8.
Six months after meeting this incredible man by swiping right, watching all of the “Drive to Survive” series often in marathon late night sessions, totally hooked on Formula1, I found myself in dreamy Montréal seated across from him. And next to an extremely talented woman who’s going to change the automotive world! My question was finally answered. Yes--there are women engineers in Formula 1 racing, and I’ve met one!
Now that’s undeniably the Universe’s magic granting such gifts!
**Taylor Dupéré Mechanical Engineering student at Concordia University
Leslie Myrick, a Rochester native who lives for art, writing and Interior design. Received a B.A. Degree in Communication and Journalism, St. John Fisher University.
Myrick has been in Property Management for six years. Commercial Property Manager, for Webster Properties, LLC. Owner of Properties By Design, an Interior Design business, focused on private homes, rental properties and creating commissioned artwork.
You can contact Leslie at myrickdesigns3@gmail.com or check out her profile on LinkedIn.
