Vehicle engineering student at Széchenyi István University Anna Szakonyi is gaining invaluable experience as a project management intern at the Sauber Formula 1 team (officially Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber). Based at the team’s Hinwil headquarters near Zürich, the 25-year-old works on front suspension projects, coordinating development processes, managing deadlines, and liaising between departments.
Having previously earned a degree in international business from the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU), Szakonyi switched to engineering, driven by her passion for motorsport. Her seven-year involvement in Formula Student—where she led sponsorship, HR, and marketing for TU Vienna Racing Team—proved pivotal. ‘Formula Student taught me independence and project management. You can’t wait for instructions; otherwise, you’d end up without a car,’ she reflected on her work there.
Now in her third year of studies at Széchenyi István University, Szakonyi praises the institution’s structured curriculum and ties to industry giants like Audi. Alongside her internship, she researches the societal impact of Formula Student. Her analysis of the TU Vienna team’s 2022–23 season revealed a Social Return on Investment (SROI) index of 1.9, demonstrating that every euro invested generated nearly double the social value. This work will represent the university at Hungary’s National Scientific Students’ Conference this spring.
Szakonyi’s journey highlights Sauber’s commitment to nurturing talent. The team, which has competed in over 600 races under various guises, including BMW Sauber and Alfa Romeo, regularly offers internships and graduate programmes. ‘The speed and complexity behind the scenes are staggering. It’s a unique project management challenge,’ she said. Post-graduation, she aims to remain in motorsport or automotive sectors, drawn to their ‘fast-paced, motivating environments’.
While Szakonyi charts her path as an engineer in Formula 1, another Hungarian woman, Vivien Keszthelyi, has made significant strides on the racetrack. Keszthelyi began her international racing career at 13 in the Swift Cup Europe series, achieving notable success. In 2016, at just 15, she was selected to join the Audi Sport Racing Academy, becoming one of its youngest members. She competed in various championships, including the Audi Sport TT Cup and the Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup, securing multiple podium finishes. In 2019 Keszthelyi participated in the F3 Asian Championship Winter Series and served as a reserve driver in the W Series, a women-only racing championship, showcasing her versatility and commitment to advancing in the competitive world of motorsport.
The increasing involvement of women like Szakonyi and Keszthelyi in various facets of motorsport signifies a positive shift towards inclusivity and diversity in the industry.
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