When you ask most engineers at M-Sport where their passion began, you’ll often hear a familiar story — childhood curiosity about how machines work, long nights watching rally highlights, and the thrill of speed and precision. For Matthew, now a Junior Rally Engineer, that story began the same way: with an early fascination for cars and a determination to turn that passion into a lifelong career.

Ignition On: A New Chapter at M-Sport

“My name’s Matthew and I studied Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde,” he begins. “I joined M-Sport in October 2024 as a Graduate Transmissions Engineer.”

For Matthew, joining M-Sport was about more than simply finding his first role after university.
“I’ve been obsessed with cars since I was a kid. Throughout my studies, I knew I wanted to work in motorsport,” he says. “When I discovered M-Sport’s graduate programme, it immediately stood out — the chance to work for such a respected name in rallying, in a hands-on engineering environment, and in such a beautiful part of the country, felt like the perfect fit.”

Building Pace: From Theory to Track

Matthew’s first year at M-Sport has been packed with learning, discovery, and real-world engineering challenges. With a strong background in both electrical and mechanical systems, he was eager to put his knowledge into action.
“My studies gave me a solid foundation in mechanical systems and problem-solving — essential for understanding how transmissions perform under the extreme demands of rallying,” he explains.

His experience building a Formula Student car at university had already sparked a love for applied engineering, making the transition to M-Sport a natural next step.
“Joining M-Sport felt like the perfect progression,” Matthew says. “It’s where you take everything you’ve learned in theory and apply it to real-world motorsport. The team has been incredibly supportive, helping me build on that foundation and grow as an engineer.”

One standout moment came early on. “It really hit me when I went to watch the Carlisle Stages BRC,” he recalls. “Seeing Romet and Garry fly past in Rally2 cars — and then watching Romet win — was incredible. That’s when I realised: wow, I’m really part of something big here.”

In the Fast Lane: Life at M-Sport

Life in motorsport is all about adapting, reacting, and improving — and Matthew thrives on that energy.
“It’s exciting, fast, and no two days are ever the same,” he says. Following M-Sport’s success on the world stage has been a proud experience.
“Watching our cars compete and knowing I’ve played even a small part in that is amazing,” he says. “Seeing Jon and Romet take a 1-2 at Ceredigion was a real highlight. That’s when all the hard work pays off — everyone here wants to win.”

Shifting Up a Gear: Growing with M-Sport

After completing his first year, Matthew moved into the role of Junior Rally Engineer — a testament to how quickly graduates can progress within M-Sport.
“The title is new, but I’m still learning every day,” he explains. “The graduate scheme gave me a strong foundation, and now I’m taking on more responsibility and more complex projects.”

Looking ahead, Matthew aims to continue developing his skills and eventually lead his own engineering projects.
“I’d love to lead a project one day. It’s a big goal, but being surrounded by so many talented people makes it feel achievable.”

Navigating the Next Stage: Advice for Aspiring Engineers

When it comes to advice, Matthew keeps it simple:
“Get as much hands-on experience as possible. It doesn’t have to be directly in motorsport — anything practical and automotive-related helps. Employers look for curiosity, initiative, and effort. Don’t be afraid to get stuck in and learn by doing.”

He adds, “If you’re passionate about motorsport and ready to learn, M-Sport is the perfect place to start your career. You’ll be challenged, supported, and surrounded by people who share that same drive to be the best. You don’t just learn at M-Sport — you live engineering every day.”

Matthew’s story perfectly captures what the M-Sport Graduate Programme is all about: passion, progress, and performance. For graduates ready to see their engineering come alive on the rally stage — and be part of a team that never stops pushing forward — M-Sport is where careers go full throttle.