Feature
Career Spotlight: Meet Hannah Prydderch, Content Editor at F1 ACADEMY
It’s not just about the stories you tell, but how you tell them and Hannah Prydderch is at the forefront of bringing fans the narratives that matter in F1 ACADEMY.
Life in the fast lane wasn’t originally the journey she’d planned out, but as the series’ Content Editor, she keeps a sharp eye covering all events trackside for the website. Explaining how she took a gamble on a pursuing her passion for motorsport, Prydderch discusses how she stays on the pulse and opens up on the importance of staying true to yourself.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A RACE WEEKEND BACK AT THE OFFICE?
“My biggest thing is planning the editorial schedules. I try to plan ideally a month or two in advance, so once the race weekend schedule has been announced, I’ll submit our editorial requests to our Communications team so that they can schedule them in.
“Also, writing previews, interviews alongside a lot of general admin for the website — making sure that the race times show up correctly, that the results come through and that all the day-to-day necessary items to make the website run are sorted.
“In addition, I’m ensuring that we’ve got a steady stream of content telling the key storylines into the race weekend, post-weekend and highlighting any poignant rounds for drivers, such as a home event. This includes producing F1 ACADEMY pieces for F1.com, which allows us to bring greater awareness to the series.”
WHAT DOES AN AVERAGE WEEKEND LOOK LIKE AT THE TRACK?
“Even though days should on the face of it be the same, you can never predict how a race is going to unfold. That’s one thing about being an editor and a writer, is that you have to react to those storylines. During the sessions, it’s writing reports, making sure live timing is running, liaising with Social and the Comms team about any key messages from the races. For example, if we’ve had an incident, how we communicate that to the audience.
“Then, (there’s the) media pen to get the immediate quotes from the top three in Qualifying and the races, as well as post-session reactions to highlight any major achievements further down the grid. Then we continue to build those narratives through features that we interview for on Thursday’s Media Day, so that we can showcase the drivers for who they are."
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS YOU NEED?
“I think the most important skills are creativity and an ability to deal with whatever life throws at you. Racing is naturally so unpredictable, you have to be prepared for anything and react instantly. Racing is a team sport, not just for the teams taking part in the series, but for the team running the series itself. We have to be able to communicate with each other and ensure that, if someone needs a hand, you’re taking a weight off someone else’s shoulders and they’ll do the same for you if you ever need it.”
WHERE DID YOU WORK BEFORE YOUR CURRENT ROLE?
“Before this, I worked as a writer for the FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 Championships, and before that I was the Editorial Assistant at WTF1. Prior to embarking on a career in journalism, I’d been the Vice President of Union Development at Lancaster University Students’ Union, so it’s been quite an unconventional route to the paddock.”
WHAT DID YOU STUDY AT SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY AND HOW DID THAT HELP YOU ON YOUR CAREER PATH?
“I actually didn't start with journalism at all. I did a degree in Law with Politics and then, during COVID, I decided I wanted to branch out my career into something new. I studied for a Masters in News Journalism, specialising mostly in sport whilst taking up volunteering and freelance roles covering Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula E.
“Throughout my teenage years back at home in Wrexham, I’d been heavily involved in youth participation through Funky Dragon (The Children and Young People’s Assembly for Wales) and the Climate Change Commission for Wales, so Law with Politics seemed like the most natural fit. The analytical skills needed to understand the real-life application of legislation comes in handy now as I need to have a firm comprehension of the series’ rules and regulations.
READ MORE: In-Season Testing Round-Up: What we learnt from three days of running in Jeddah
“Whilst my studies in News Journalism at Cardiff University gave me a firm grounding in the editorial and digital storytelling skills needed to work in the current media landscape, the most valuable lesson was a personal one. I’m a perfectionist at my core and have always hated making mistakes, but one of my tutors helped me to realise that they are a vital part of the learning process, particularly at the early stages of any career.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
“There are two elements that standout to me — the travel and the people you get to meet. Crucially, in my role as the Content Editor, I attend all race weekends which means I’m immersed in the heart of the action. It’s a non-stop affair, but one I relish as you build bonds, which allows me to earn the trust of those I share the paddock with and help convey their stories.
“Before I joined F2 and F3 in May 2022, I hadn’t been on a plane since I was a toddler. Since then, I’ve been to 14 different countries across three continents and had the chance to broaden my outlook on the world in ways my younger self never would have thought possible.”
WHAT’S THE TOUGHEST ASPECT OF YOUR ROLE OR A CHALLENGE THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT EXPECT?
“The toughest aspect of the role is sometimes, when you’re writing reports and things like that, you almost don’t have time to think. It’s not so much working on autopilot but working on instinct as you know what works and you know those key storylines. It’s why I try and prepare so much in advance and take such extensive notes.”
ANY CAREER HIGHLIGHTS SO FAR?
“To be honest, every race weekend and interview I do is a highlight as it reminds me how privileged I am to do a job that I love. There are some pieces that hold a special place in my heart either because of the significance or the emotions behind the story — both of my pre-season interviews with Susie Wolff are particular standouts.
READ MORE: STANDOUT STARS: Who shone brightest in an exhilarating Round 1 in Shanghai?
“I’ve been fortunate to see many young talents evolve through their interviews, both as a driver and as a person. Seeing the likes of Oliver Bearman and Jack Doohan make it to F1 alongside our 2024 Champion Abbi Pulling graduating to GB3 makes me immensely proud to have had the chance to tell their stories along the way.”
IS THERE ANYONE IN MOTORSPORT WHO INSPIRED YOU OR SUPPORTED YOU?
“Growing up, I idolised the likes of Suzi Perry and Lee McKenzie as two of the few female TV presenters in motorsport. There was a part of me as a young girl that dreamt of following in their footsteps, but I didn’t see a pathway back then and why I’m so keen to help the next generation pursue their dreams — perhaps it’s something I might have the opportunity to explore one day!
“It’s wonderful to see so many women thriving in the industry now and I feel even more fortunate to call some of them my friends. Our Race Director Silvia Bellot has been a pioneer and someone I looked up to long before I joined the paddock, whilst one of my best friends Holly Sennett, who works as the Communications and Social Executive for McLaren’s Formula E team, has been a bedrock of support over the years and helps me to bring out the best in myself. It’s important to surround yourself with those who lift you up because I’d be nothing without the support network around me, including my parents who made my passion for the sport their own.”
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE FUNNIEST MOMENTS YOU’VE EXPERIENCED IN THE INDUSTRY?
“Sometimes the funniest moments come from just spending time with people. I like being out of the office, I like chatting to people as I find out more about them and they get to understand me as a person.
"It makes my job as a journalist easier because you understand the dynamics between people. Some people are more introverted than extroverted and I love just having a laugh chatting with the crews and drivers.”
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF ABOUT EMBARKING ON A CAREER IN MOTORSPORT?
“The biggest advice that I would give to my younger self would be to believe, just to tell myself to do it my own way. To believe that you can be yourself in the industry and you don’t have to be a version of somebody else just to succeed.”