“Make Real Impact”: Lizzie McKinnon on Building the Future of Atlassian Williams Racing

As a Talent Acquisition Partner at Atlassian Williams Racing, Lizzie sits at the heart of the team’s growth and evolution, recruiting some of the brightest minds in motorsport. With each step at Williams, she’s built a reputation for empathy, insight and the ability to spot not just great engineers, but great team-mates.

A Role That Powers the Grid

Lizzie’s official title is Talent Acquisition Partner at Atlassian Williams Racing. She’s part of the wider HR department at Williams, but her focus is on finding and hiring the right people for the technical teams that shape the car. From design to structures engineers, she’s responsible for bringing in the talent that pushes the team forward.

“Talent Acquisition is the recruitment function within the Williams team,” she tells Females in Motorsport. “I look after one of the Technical recruitment areas more specifically Vehicle Engineering and recruiting engineers for this group.”

What makes her work especially unique is the balance she has to strike between technical expertise and team chemistry.

“We will look at F1 and our direct competitors but all other engineering fields and industries to find the right people with the right skillset,” she says. “Important to us at Williams is individuals who will have the right team fit and team culture… Looking for individuals that will get on well with the team, work hard, be committed and have fun as well.”

In the fast-moving world of Formula 1, recruitment is a race in itself.

“Williams has taught me to work at a speed that is not always normal,” she says. “You need to be there at the right time and be able to make those decisions. You need to be able to drive that change.”

From Comics to Cars: Lizzie’s Journey into F1

Lizzie’s route into motorsport is a testament to taking chances and embracing the unknown. After earning a degree in Sociology and Communication Media at Oxford Brookes, she didn’t immediately dive into sport or HR. Instead, she worked in publishing — first as an Administrative Assistant, then managing social media and e-commerce at an independent, family-run comic publisher.

“I learnt a lot of skills from an administrative perspective and also aspects HR,” she reflects. But it was a job listing at Williams that changed her trajectory. “A job came up here at Williams for an Assistant Resourcing Administrator… I applied and went through the other side of what I do now.”

Joining this new world of motorsport was a new adventure. 

“I was really nervous,” Lizzie says. “I came from a company where there were 20–30 of us, to Williams where there were 700 at the time so it was quite daunting.” 

But she quickly found her footing.

“As soon as I got to know people here it settled me into my role which has really helped me grow,” she says. 

Three roles and countless interviews later, Lizzie is an integral part of the team. 

“With my role it means I can work with so many people across the team and I've met so many inspirational, smart, authentic, just generally down to earth people that have the drive I feel I have as well,” she says. 

A Lifelong Love of Motorsport

While her career path into F1 wasn’t conventional, Lizzie’s love of motorsport is as classic as it gets. 

“My dad got me into it when I was about five,” she says. “My dad always watched motorsport and F1, and I also loved MotoGP. As a kid I grew up with it [motorsport] and absolutely loved it.”

Some of her earliest memories are of watching races with her family. But her connection to Williams runs even deeper. 

“For my 18th birthday I actually got to visit Williams onsite and do the museum tour. From that point on Williams really solidified in my heart as a special team.”

Now, years later, she walks the same halls as a team member. And yes, she still finds the time to stop by the iconic museum. 

“FW14, FW14B and FW15C… those are probably the most iconic,” she says. “But I do have a soft spot for the Martini liveries.”

She even volunteered at Goodwood last year — helping with fan engagement and crowd control while sneaking in a few hours to enjoy the on-track action. 

“People were coming up to me to ask about recruitment… I say, don't be afraid to apply if you have the right skillset — you never know what may happen.”

Advice for the Next Generation

Having sat on both sides of the interview table, Lizzie understands what it feels like to step into the unknown. 

“There is a duty of care for them [interview candidates]  as well as we really do want them to have the best experience,” she explains. 

Her advice to applicants? Be realistic and focused. 

“The hardest stage is getting from application to interview stage,” she says. “Make sure to apply to the role that you have the right skill set for. Don’t let your CV be 8-9 pages long — keep it concise, keep it relevant for the role you are applying to.”

Lizzie is quick to bust some common myths about working in F1. 

Q: Do you need a degree to work in F1? 

“No. Absolutely not. There are so many avenues.” 

Q: Does every role travel? 

“No. Teams are very limited on how many trackside allocations are allowed so they try to keep it to key individuals” 

Q: Final myth - you have to know everything about F1 in order to work in it!

“You don’t have to love F1 to work in F1 — but it can help. I know I put in extra effort because I am passionate about it… That makes me want to do my job better so I can support the team on track.”

Her three-word description of her job says it all: “Impactful… we joke about it as the ‘fun side of HR’ so maybe fun and fast paced — especially at the moment”.

But perhaps her most powerful message is the one that’s guided her from an Oxford office to one of the most historic teams in racing. 

“Be your genuine, kind self and work your hardest,” she concludes. 

With this mindset, Lizzie is not only helping to shape the future of Williams - but also paving the way for others to do the same..

Photo Credits: Lizzie McKinnon