As a project management intern at the Sauber Formula 1 team, Anna Szakonyi works on front suspension projects. Having earned a degree from WU Vienna, she is now studying Vehicle Engineering at Széchenyi István University. In addition to her internship, she values research and will represent the University at the National Scientific Students’ Conference in spring with her study on the societal benefits of the Formula Student competition series.

The Swiss-based Formula 1 team officially known as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber has been a part of the Formula 1 grid for over three decades under various names. Including its BMW Sauber and Alfa Romeo eras, the team has competed in nearly 600 races. Anna Szakonyi, a third-year Vehicle Engineering student at Széchenyi István University, is currently working at the team's headquarters in Hinwil, near Zürich.

"Sauber regularly advertises internship opportunities. I applied for one of these positions and was delighted to be accepted. Since September, I have been working in project management, focusing on front suspension projects. My responsibilities include tracking development and manufacturing processes, coordinating between departments, and managing resources and deadlines," said the 25-year-old, adding, that she has learned an immense amount over the past few months.

"For fans, Formula 1 is mostly about race weekends, but from the inside, the level of complexity behind the scenes at the factory is astonishing. An incredible number of intricate details and coordinated processes are required to ensure that the car makes it to the grid for each race. Everything moves at an incredibly fast and dynamic pace, which is a unique learning experience from a project management perspective," she explained.

According to Anna, her background in Formula Student played a significant role in securing the Sauber internship. "I graduated from Zrínyi Miklós High School in Zalaegerszeg seven years ago and continued my studies at WU Vienna. I came across an online post from the TU Vienna Racing Team, the Technical University's Formula Student team competing in the electric category, which was looking for new members. I applied and was successful. I started working in the sponsorship module, which I later led for a season. Eventually, I became head of the management module, overseeing HR, marketing, IT and sponsorship. This role required strong communication and organisational skills, as well as financial knowledge. I also learned the importance of independence — waiting for instructions is not an option because, if everyone did that, we would end up without a car," she recalled.

After earning her degree in Vienna, Anna left the team but continues to participate in Formula Student competitions as an organiser or judge. However, during her final year in Vienna, she also became a Vehicle Engineering student at Széchenyi István University. "Formula Student played a major role in my decision to switch to engineering. I wanted to study part-time, which is not very common in Austria, so I considered Hungary. Győr and Széchenyi University were obvious choices. I had heard great things about the University from acquaintances who studied there, and its proximity was ideal. Additionally, its close ties with Audi were an important factor. I am very satisfied with my choice, as the programme is well-structured, making it easier to acquire knowledge effectively even with fewer hours as a part-time student," she explained.

Alongside her studies and Formula 1 internship, Anna is also engaged in research. Her success means that she will represent Széchenyi István University at the National Scientific Students’ Conference in spring. Her supervisor is Professor Dr Márta Konczosné Szombathelyi. "I wanted to try my hand at research, but I was also motivated by the challenge of presenting at the conference and convincingly discussing my topic before an academic audience. My study examines the social return on investment (SROI) of the Formula Student series, using the TU Vienna Racing Team as a case study. By considering both positive and negative impacts, I determined that the team had an SROI index of 1.9 for the 2022–2023 season, meaning that every euro invested generated nearly twice as much societal value. This supports the argument that sponsorship and university backing are worthwhile," she elaborated.

As for her future after earning her second degree, she remains uncertain, but is confident that she wants to work in motorsport or the automotive industry. As she noted, "The fast-paced environment is something I truly enjoy and find highly motivating."

Sauber offers a wide range of opportunities for graduates and students. The team will still grow and plans to generate growth through graduate programs. Open positions are published through the team`s Audi F1 Project Linked in channel and the career page: Jobs at Sauber Group

Anna Szakonyi is working to help Sauber achieve the best possible results in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship.