Automobile Division
With experience in vehicle engineering and composite product development, Louis reflects on how the Formula Student programme helped shape his career and offers advice for aspiring engineers eager to follow in his footsteps.
Tell us a bit about you – where did you study, what's your role at YASA, and your career history?
Louis Crozier: I studied for my MEng in Mechanical Engineering at Cardiff University, where I graduated with First Class Honours. I'm now a Lead Development Engineer at YASA, leading a team focused on stator development for YASA axial flux motors. Before joining YASA, I gained experience in vehicle engineering at Ricardo and composite product development at Lentus Composites.
When did you take part in Formula Student, and how did you get on?
LC: I joined the Formula Student team in 2015 while studying at Cardiff University and gradually increased my involvement in the team throughout my degree. In my final year, in 2019, I led the suspension design for the car and was one of the key senior figures.
Cardiff Racing’s most notable success was winning the 2017 FSUK competition and becoming the first UK team to do so. The years I was able to contribute were incredibly rewarding, and being part of such a successful team was an unforgettable experience.
Why did you choose to take part in the Formula Student programme?
LC: I love motorsport and cars, and it was a natural fit for my personal interests and ambition to get into the automotive industry after university. I've always enjoyed hands-on work, and it was the best way to do this during my degree, while also earning academic credits for working on the car design.
There are very few opportunities to design, build, and race your own car, and Formula Student is one of the most accessible, yet exciting ways to do it.
What were the highlights and your proudest achievement during the Formula Student programme?
LC: Driving a car in competition that I had helped design and build was the biggest achievement. Sitting in the car at Assen and Silverstone, knowing the time, effort, and sacrifice it took to get to that point, made it all worth it.
A fuelling issue held it back during competition, but it was still amazing to drive and ultimately rewarding to be part of such a high-performing team.
What were the challenges of Formula Student?
LC: Time! Most people involved with Formula Student know how the obsession takes hold, and it was a huge commitment to spend time working on the car outside of university hours, which were already intense with an engineering degree. However, the more I put in, the more I got out of the experience.
How has Formula Student helped you in your career?
LC: It gave me confidence talking to lots of different people, and I built good relationships with colleagues and industry contacts. It's a real standout feature on a graduate CV, and it opened doors for engineering roles that I don’t think would have been there without it.
What advice would you give anyone considering taking part in Formula Student?
LC: Do it! The more you put into it, the more you get out of it.