Lead the Charge
Sustainability internship with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team for 2023 FIA F1 Season
Lead the Charge - Sustainability Project Consultant, 2023
Introducing Maryam Shaban, the Akkodis Lead the Charge candidate selected to join the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team for the 2023 FIA World Championship Season.
Maryam will take on a Sustainability Project Consultant role and will work alongside experts at the Brackley-based Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team to develop and implement solutions and work towards a more sustainable future.
Graduating with a Masters of Environment and Sustainability from the University of Western Ontario and having gained experience as a junior policy analyst with Environment Climate Change Canada, Maryam is passionate about sustainability. She exclaims, "I am excited that Akkodis has given me the chance to work on sustainability strategies with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team! It is truly an incredible opportunity for me to take part in the development and advancement of various sustainability initiatives."
Hear from Maryam, the selected candidate of the Akkodis ‘Lead the Charge’ program 2023 as she embarks on an incredible placement year with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team.
Q1. Congratulations Maryam! Firstly, what does sustainability mean to you?
Thank you! To me, sustainability means protecting the earth and using its natural resources responsibly. Sustainability is transdisciplinary. When we address sustainability and environmental issues, we will achieve the greatest change providing that we consider solutions from various perspectives. Sustainability and combating the implications of climate change to me, means ensuring I am setting up a great future for the next generation.
Q2. Where does the passion you have for a sustainable future come from?
I have lived my whole life in a city that depends on the steel industry to maintain economic growth. During my bachelor’s and master’s degrees I began to increasingly learn about the various impacts environmental issues had, from natural, economic, legal, and social standpoints. My academic studies planted my seed of passion. I was further motivated by the advancements in clean technologies and disproving the notion that sustainability will harm economic growth. Now I strive to make change wherever possible and push for innovative sustainable initiatives that will ensure long-term success.
Q3. Is there anyone in the world of sustainability that inspires you?
Christiana Figueres is a speaker who inspires my passion for sustainability. She directly worked to successfully bring about the Paris Agreement. Christiana also holds speeches and interviews to discuss climate change and push for sustainability internationally. Her speeches are inspiring and allow me to continue to grow my knowledge on the subject.
Q4. When you are not thinking about sustainability, what do you do in your free time?
This might still be sustainability related but I do enjoy spending time outdoors, whether it’s riding my bike or going for a walk in a park. Honestly, I enjoy just being outdoors in general! Aside from that, I always enjoy spending time with my family. They’re the best support system a girl could ask for.
Q5. Why did you decide to apply to the ‘Lead The Charge’ program?
I saw the opportunity posted online through the Lead the Charge campaign and applied because it’s simply the opportunity of a lifetime. The description of the role really spoke to me and I felt it is a challenge I can tackle! I’m really happy to be a part of the team.
Q6. Why is F1 an area that excites you when speaking about sustainability?
F1 is a complex sport with many sustainability challenges and opportunities. I am most excited to embrace these challenges and demonstrate the power the sport can have to drive sustainable change, ensuring we can enjoy it for generations to come!
Q7. It must be so exciting to be starting a placement with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. What are you looking forward to most in the coming months?
Yes, it is very exciting. There are many things I am looking forward to during my time with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. As leaders in this space, the team have already created clear targets in the sustainability, so I am happy to provide a new perspective on their ongoing projects and inspire innovative ways to reach these targets. I really hope to make a difference with the team and push for sustainability both on track and in business
Akkodis Lead the Charge: Maryam Shaban explores trackside sustainability.
Maryam Shaban, Sustainability Project Consultant from the Akkodis Lead the Charge program, went behind the scenes at Silverstone for the British GP as she continued to support the team on their ambition to become the most sustainable professional sports team.
Commenting on her observations from her visit trackside, Maryam said: “This past week I had the amazing opportunity to attend the British GP at Silverstone. I met the race team and toured the motorhome and garage to understand logistics of a Grand Prix. This included seeing how we bring car parts from the factory to the racetrack. The garage itself is powered by biofuel generators.
Seeing the use of sustainable fuels trackside showcases how we can reduce the impact and lower the emissions associated with the logistics of the sport.”
The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team specifically uses HVO100 biofuel for the freight that is driven from track to track during the European season – this lowers our road freight emissions per kilometer travelled by 89%.
“Overall, my experience trackside was a fantastic opportunity for me to gain a better understanding of how the team extends their sustainability targets from the factory to the track, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to continue to develop and implement further changes in the future.”
What were your initial expectations on the Akkodis Lead the Charge program and working as a Sustainability Project Consultant at the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team? How have those expectations evolved during your first three months on the job?
Working in this role for the last three months has been exciting! I have learned so much about the sport that would not have been possible without the Akkodis Lead the Charge program. My understanding of the sport and complexities around it has grown. In particular, I gained a new appreciation for the many stakeholders that that come together to make the races possible from back at the factory and trackside. From a sustainability standpoint, I have learned that achieving our targets depends on the participation and collaboration of everyone.
How was your first experience at the racetrack and what were the key takeaways you found linked to Sustainability when understanding the Silverstone GP?
Visiting the track at Silverstone was an amazing experience. I received a tour of the team motorhome and garage from one of our mechanics and was shown a wide range of the components that make our W14 race car. I was intrigued by the trackside processes and logistics. From how parts are brought in and repurposed or disposed of, to the energy usage of our garage. One of the areas I had not considered before visiting track is how to address trackside waste. The waste management at each location varies and requires the team to adapt depending on country.
It was great to see initiatives for waste management starting to take place for both the team and fans at Silverstone, including water refill stations and local food donations at the end of the weekend to reduce food waste.
In what ways have you been able to combine your technology and sustainability expertise to the unique challenges and opportunities within the Formula One industry? Can you give some example projects you were involved in and further understandings from being at track?
It has been exciting to be able to work on a diverse range of projects which have drawn upon and strengthened my technology and sustainability expertise. By understanding the complex nature of a F1 team I have used my data analysis skills to support the collection, cleaning, and calculation of our carbon footprint. I learned on track that the team meticulously collect data on the equipment and parts required for the races. This data allows the race team to maintain the longevity and lifecycle of all parts and equipment.
How has the collaboration been with other team members and stakeholders in integrating sustainability considerations into the various aspects of the team's operations and practices? How would you describe the team culture?
Collaboration is vital to the success of our sustainability ambitions. I have been able to work across various departments to promote the development of our sustainability initiatives in fast-moving and performance driven team. The team values sustainability in all aspects of their work – part of my role is to empower departments with knowledge on our sustainability strategy to help them incorporate more sustainable decisions. A particular highlight for me has been getting involved in communicating project successes, for example the savings we have achieved through implementing an employee lift sharing scheme. The positive feedback across all areas has been rewarding!
What did you learn for your personal development after 3 months of the Akkodis Lead the Charge program? What is your ambition during the next months until you have finished the program?
My time with the team to date has taught me a lot about sustainability in a high-performing sports team. In the coming months I will strive to refine my knowledge in emissions accounting and increase my experience in implementing emissions reduction projects for the team. In the future, I’d love to continue to work in sustainability for motorsport. We’ve made so much great ground within the sport so far and there is always room for further innovation!
On October 12, 2022 Akkodis hosted a LIVE Q&A session with the Mercedes Team who answered viewer questions about the Lead the Charge Sustainability Project Consultant role and what it will be like to work with the world champion Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One team.
We discussed the main objectives of the role and how someone with a passion for motorsport and technology can drive innovative initiatives and create a more sustainable future together with the team throughout the 2023 Formula 1 season.