Ariana Wong is a recent BTech Automotive & Vehicle Engineering Technology graduate whose childhood love for Formula 1 has sparked a bold career path toward motorsport engineering.
What inspired you to pursue automotive engineering?
From a very young age, I was exposed to Formula 1 by my parents, who, are huge fans of the sport. Growing up, I remember watching every grand prix weekend with them and being in awe of drivers like Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard, and later, Lewis Hamilton. It was then I realized I wanted to work in F1 as an engineer and this is what has pushed me down the path of automotive engineering.
What’s it like being a trailblazer in a field where women are underrepresented and how do you navigate that?
It is thrilling and exciting being one of the few women in this program at McMaster and in the automotive field. It is also an immense privilege that comes with responsibility. I feel very fortunate to be in this position, where I can study and grow as an engineer. I’m also aware that how I carry myself, my work ethic, and my professionalism in the McMaster community and beyond, sets an example for younger women who may be aspiring engineers. In this way, I do consider it a responsibility to represent women to the best of my ability and demonstrate that women can be incredible engineers just as much as our male counterparts.
Are there any female engineers or automotive professionals you look up to?
There are two standout women whom I look up to: Susie Wolff and Laura Mueller. As a young girl I remember seeing Susie on TV when she was working as a reserve driver for Williams F1. Seeing her in the garage was quite amazing. Susie now works tirelessly to advocate for and promote women in motorsport as Managing Director of F1 Academy, an all-female racing series. I really admire the work that she’s doing to create space for women in racing.
The second woman I really look up to is Laura Mueller who, as of the 2025 season, has become the first female race engineer in Formula 1. She is my newest role model because, for a long time now, I’ve wanted to work as a race engineer in F1. The first time I watched a race and heard a woman’s voice come over the team radio was so surreal, and watching her work in this capacity has only served to push me towards achieving my career goals.
What’s your dream car or dream automotive innovation you’d love to work on?
My favourite car of all time is the Ferrari Dino 246 GTS in Ferrari red (of course) and honestly having the opportunity to work on any Formula 1 car would be a dream project for me.
What’s next after graduation?
I’m incredibly excited for my next steps. In the fall I will be moving to England to study a Masters of Motorsport Engineering at Oxford Brookes University. I’m so beyond thrilled to be able to pursue this opportunity and am looking forward to wherever life takes me after that.
Why should more women pursue BTech Automotive and how can we encourage them to do so?
If young women are interested in pursuing engineering and have a love for cars, I think the BTech Automotive program at McMaster would be an amazing and incredible fit. The unique hands-on experience and built-in co-op program have really set me up for success to join the workforce.
In encouraging young girls to think about this career path, my biggest advice is to take STEM programs to them. Engineering schools need to be consistently promoting and advertising these degree programs in elementary, middle, and high schools across the country. I think McMaster does a good job in hosting youth programs on campus, but more can always be done. Encouraging girls to think critically, question things, build things at a young age so they can be aware of these non-traditional fields much sooner is essential. I really believe that making these programs more accessible at an earlier age can make all the difference in encouraging more girls to enter engineering, specifically in BTech and automotive engineering as a whole.