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Formula One Technology Manager - Shell Global Solutions

Posted on Mon, 28 July 2008 11:43:40

Lisa Lilley is Shell’s Technology Manager for Ferrari. Based between the Shell Global Solutions technical laboratory in Chester, UK, and Ferrari’s Gestione Sportiva in Maranello, Lisa oversees the Shell Technical Partnership with Ferrari, covering Formula One, Ferrari Road Car and the Ferrari Challenge Series. Lisa will be attending the majority of races in 2008.

Lisa has been working for Shell for 12 years, starting straight from graduating with a degree in engineering in 1995. She initially spent five years carrying out fundamental research into combustion chemistry, which she used as a basis to gain her PhD. She then went on to spend five years working on Shell’s alternative fuels project before joining the Formula One programme in 2005.

Three seasons working in Formula One have presented many career highlights – particularly Scuderia Ferrari’s recent Championship victory. Race weekends in San Marino have also provided some unique memories. Imola 2005 was Lisa’s first ever Formula One race, Shell had just announced the renewal of the Shell Technical Partnership with Ferrari and it was an incredible race which saw Schumacher fight through the field to finish second. At Imola 2006, Michael won - the first race win Lisa had witnessed – a very emotional experience.

What made you choose a career in engineering?

"I always thought of engineering as an incredibly exciting area where I could challenge myself to think creatively and find innovative solutions. Now when I think about this, working in Formula One gives me all that, but honestly, I never imagined that this is where my engineering degree would take me."


Do you turn your engineering and development work with F1 vehicles into something that can be used by the general car maker?

"Transferring Formula One technology to commercial products is the purpose of Shell’s technical partnership with Ferrari. Formula One is the perfect test bed to trial new ideas in the most extreme environment. The sport is at the cutting-edge which means we are always pushing for improvements to our Formula One fuels and lubricants so that Shell products always meet the highest and toughest standards."

"All the learnings that come from the work we do with Ferrari are transferred across to the products you can buy for your own car, like Shell V-Power and Shell Helix. Just one example is Friction Modification Technology. Used in Shell V-Power fuel, it is designed to unlock valuable energy and help improve responsiveness. This technology was developed in Formula One and now it has already been transferred to the Shell V-Power you can buy on the forecourt."

How do you stay at the cutting edge of motor racing technology?

"Shell enjoys an exclusive technical partnership with Ferrari which now dates back over 60 years. It’s a unique relationship which allows us to work really closely with an established car manufacturer and carry out our research and development in a cutting-edge environment."

"Working together with the best people in the field is very important to the programme and today more than 50 Shell technical specialists based in Shell facilities are working to develop the best performing fuels and lubricants in Formula One.  We also have a Shell office in Maranello – where I am based for part of the year -  here we work shoulder to shoulder with the Ferrari engineers during every development stage of the car’s life, so that we can make sure the car’s design is optimised for maximum performance and reliability. However, it is important to remember that any learnings here are eventually transferred to the development of products for the road."


What is your message to the country’s young engineers?

"It is a very rewarding career. And I believe that challenges the world faces on a daily basis present engineers with a lot of interesting and exciting opportunities."



What do you do to relax?

"I treat myself to some shopping and some good chocolate!"

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