No matter what transpires at the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend, Aston Martin will be commemorating a significant milestone. It's a grand celebration for Andy Stevenson, Aston's sporting director, who will be marking his 600th grand prix here. This remarkable feat of endurance is even more impressive given that he has not missed a single race since joining the team as a young enthusiast in 1987.
Stevenson's childhood dream of working in F1 was so strong that he documented it. “My mother recently discovered the paperwork from my first visit to the careers office, which stated my desire to work with fast cars and travel the world,” he recalls with a smile. “I was always fascinated by anything mechanical, and F1 cars are the pinnacle of engineering. I thrive on competition and love to travel, making this the perfect job for me.”
Leaving school at 17, Stevenson immediately embarked on learning his trade as a mechanic with a racing team. His sharp intellect and warm, self-effacing humor make him a charismatic figure. Reflecting on the 599 races that have brought him to this point, under the neon lights of one of F1's most prestigious events, he remains with the same team, now known as Aston Martin, which started from modest beginnings.
Stevenson's journey began with a job at Eddie Jordan's F3 team in 1987, which was then enjoying success with Johnny Herbert. During his interview, Jordan famously quipped, “Don’t hire this guy, he looks like a wanker,” but Stevenson got the job. Jordan's constant challenges only fueled Stevenson's determination. “I am going to prove this guy wrong,” he thought, and he did, often reminding Jordan, “I’m still here, Eddie.”
Jordan's team, initially just 12 people at Silverstone, expanded to 50 by the time they entered F1 in 1991. Their first race, the US GP in Phoenix, was a steep learning curve. “We had never practiced a live pit stop until the race,” Stevenson remembers. Their adaptability and passion for racing have been key to the team's success, including their first win with Damon Hill at Spa in 1998.
Since Jordan sold the team in 2005, it has evolved through various names and ownerships, now solidly positioned as Aston Martin. With Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll leading the charge, backed by 900 staff and a state-of-the-art facility at Silverstone, Stevenson believes the team is on the brink of achieving world championship glory.
Stevenson, now sporting director since 2008, has witnessed the sport's transformation over 33 years. “The competition and professionalism have skyrocketed,” he notes. “I never thought it could get more popular than in the 90s, but the audiences and atmosphere are incredible now.”
As for the future, Stevenson muses, “Maybe I can reach a thousand races, but I won't be counting. I just want to keep doing this as long as they'll have me.” His loyalty to the team is unwavering, despite offers from other teams. “Eddie Jordan used to say I stayed because ‘no one else would fucking have me.’ But this is personal.”
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