Alejandro Prieto "It becomes more as a race engineer with your crew, as the chief tasks are more in a secondary layer, but present in every moment."

Alejandro took a few more steps towards becoming an engineer. Alejandro is passionate about automobile mechanics, so after finishing his bachelor's degree in technology specialization, he began a high technician degree in automotive mechanics. "Only after finishing it, I did mechanical engineering and when finished a master degree in Motorsport in Monlau, " Prieto said. "All in Spain." Throughout his work, he continued to study and stay in specialized courses to further his training and knowledge. "It never stops." 

 13/05/22 - Imola, Italy 

Going from university to job for Alejandro is that "Of course there is part of the theory applicable to the real tasks, but not considering a fsae or motostudent contest, the degree is not enough," Alejandro said. The degree is a long way from real-world application, and mechanical engineering at the institution is quite general and universal. That is why Alejandro pursued his master's degree in Motorsports later. Alejandro says that "In my city university centre, the only possibility was motostudent." "Really recommended for people that thinks on a possible career in Motorsport." Some things that he learned from Uni is leadership, consistency, and accuracy (never assume).

He choose to work in motorsport cause the passion on automotive at the higher level, competition and the adrenaline. He has worked as a racing engineer for a several of teams, although he spent the majority of his time and was most effective with VAR before becoming Chief Engineer. "That’s my 3rd year in this company and as the level in F4 requires nowadays of a high operational team, we agreed in continuing as a senior role in the company, becoming chief engineer but at the same time that I keep my race engineering task of one crew," Alejandro said. "Leadership, organization, communication, understanding of how a  team must internally be to success, common sense, and be obsessive with your goals," he said. Those things are some things on become a chief engineer  in motorsport.

21/7/23 - Paul Ricard, France

As a chief engineer for Van Amersfoort Racing, he coordinates and supports a team of racing engineers in F4.But for his own duty, "I’m responsible of the inputs and outputs of 5 engineers over their crews," Alejandro explained. "This sometimes means, extra stress added to the normal race engineering task." One of his favorite things about his job is "What today is a problem or something unknown, tomorrow is easy and something new will cover your hunger," Alejandro said. "You never stop researching, learning and processing."

He wishes that everyone knew about the work is "Well, I’ve always see people interested in Motorsport because of what is shown from outside, the highest luxury, technology… this word requires not only for the highest effort and passion, if not from a full dedication," Alejandro explains. Since most of the time "Not everyone is ready for be out of home 3/4 of this year, being researching and learning after finishing all your degrees, be working for more than 14 hours in a row or be totally out of sequence with family or friends." "Is really something unknown that most of the engineers fail when they start."

One of the biggest challenges in his job is the mental stress. "Sometimes is that high that your performance in your task can be affected seriously," He says. "By the other hand, working with drivers requires from a high level of mental working."

"They are talented sport people that runs in a difficult ecosystem, where a fail can mean the end of the “game”." "To work with them and exploit their quality requires from a mental point of view, from a great support."

"Is our responsibility their performance, and therefore to keep their hunger alive, motivated... the mindset."

9/9/22- Redbull ring Austria 

Collaborative atmosphere when working with  Van Amersfoort Racing is that their are "family" since they are together in the adventure. "Despite I cannot complain at all with each of my colleges, sometimes can be difficult," he says. "As every family, sometimes we can disagree or have a small discussion, but at the end of the day, you need from all of them and they also need from you."

With close connections with your key employees, the relationship between the chief engineer and the driver is important in order to gain as many points as possible in the race. His connection with his driver/drivers are very close. "All of them believes in your work, in your advice, in your strategy… they see you as a great part of their success and therefore the trust is something very important to build," He says.

28/5/23 Spa, Belgium 

A typical race week with VAR is "It becomes more as a race engineer with your crew, as the chief tasks are more in a secondary layer, but present in every moment," He said. "Do not forget that a chief engineer input is strong, and as his knowledge and experience shows, he can have a big influence on results."

"We are the biggest communication channel for the rest of the engineers." "High demanding decisions in the last moment has to be known from everyone at the same time that you have to perform it in your own crew."

"Tyre choices, setup decisions, strategy changes, etc."

His advice to anyone that wants to get into motorsport is "First of all, no rush, experience

is needed and to take more responsibilities without being ready can be hard," He said. "Be sure of all your steps and that when you go from race engineer to chief, is because you know that your input is good enough to state a change in the team, to improve what was done before. 

25/6/23 - Monza, Italy

All photos from Alejandro Prieto.

Story by: Lili Gomez