Alexis Gutierrez

MSc Motorsport Engineering, 2026, USA, Graduate

“I’m currently working as a Motorsports CFD Analyst at GM within the Nascar Series. Before this, I worked at Williams F1 for the 2022 season. I would say that Oxford Brookes directly prepared me for these roles.”

“I discovered Oxford Brookes through a friend.”

We were sitting on the stairs of one of the buildings at my undergraduate university, and she was talking to me about options after our course and what career paths were out there. She mentioned she had spoken to various contacts within F1 teams, and they said they recruit from only a few universities in the UK, one of them being Oxford Brookes. That piqued my interest and after looking at the course breakdown, it solidified my choice. I loved all the classes and how the dissertation was laid out, so ultimately it felt like a no-brainer to apply to Oxford Brookes.

“I lived at Clive Booth Postgraduate Centre.”

There were many activities provided by the University that helped me meet new people, such as accommodation trips to Blenheim Palace. Furthermore, the Motorsport course staff were always eager to help and explain anything unfamiliar to those who were not native to the UK. Our programme was very diverse, with students from all over the world, which made everyone more willing to support one another, as it was a transition for us all. I relied heavily on my academic advisor Daniel Bell, whom I still speak to regularly to this day.

“The course had many industry speakers and networking opportunities.”

Not only were the Motorsport staff highly integrated into the industry, but various teams and organisations also sent speakers and representatives to visit, such as Ferrari, Williams, and Alpine. Ferrari, in particular, had a strong connection to Oxford Brookes and presented their Ferrari Academy programme, which only a handful of students from a select few universities are able to enter, making any opportunity like that truly priceless. The University also encouraged networking within the cohort, which not only fostered a supportive environment for everyone, but also made it easier to stay connected beyond the programme.

“Living in Oxford was a unique and incredible experience.”

Not only did the city have a great history, but there were also plenty of things to do. It offered something for everyone. I was rarely bored, and Oxford is a great hub for trains and buses, making it easy to travel from and explore other places. The city was peaceful yet lively at the same time, whether walking through the Oxford Botanical Gardens, watching the rowing teams practice, or strolling down Iffley Road, there was always something to do or catch your eye. Nothing compares to being just an hour’s train ride from London. I later became a Student Ambassador, which allowed me to get more involved with the University and travel to different places for university fairs.

“I am currently working as a Motorsports CFD Analyst at GM within the Nascar Series.”

While I was still in the UK, I worked at Williams F1 for the 2022 season. I’d say that Oxford Brookes University directly prepared me for that role. Daniel Bell was my academic advisor and also the Aerodynamics professor, and he supported much of the CFD work we carried out.

The way the programme was structured meant we had labs that allowed us to apply the aerodynamic knowledge gained in lectures, which significantly strengthened my CFD skills. I eventually completed my dissertation with a focus on CFD. Ultimately, I owe the foundation of my CFD knowledge to Oxford Brookes and Daniel Bell. I hope to continue progressing in Aerodynamics and CFD, deepening my understanding of aero performance while staying up to date with current methodologies and developments.

“My time at Oxford Brookes and in the UK were some of the best times of my life.”

Oxford Brookes University was the first academic environment where I felt truly supported, by the advisors, professors, and fellow students. It was my first experience at a university where it was clear that the professors genuinely cared about their students and were invested in ensuring we got the most out of the programme.

I also loved my time in the UK as a whole, with Oxford remaining one of my favourite places to visit every other year. Oxford Brookes has had such a significant impact on my life that, as a current STEM Lead at my company, I have been working with the Motorsport leadership and staff at Oxford Brookes to help foster a partnership between my company and the University. Many of my co-workers are Oxford Brookes alumni, and I often speak about my time there, which has encouraged several of our interns to apply to and join the University.