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The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula One Team has set a new record by appointing the industry’s first female driver to its transport team.
Fleet administrator Katy Hopkin has gained her Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) licence in a bid to get behind the wheel of a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes artic.
It is believed the qualification makes Katy the only woman in the industry qualified to drive the specially equipped artics which transport the precious cargo of racecars and test equipment throughout Europe.
Instead of managing the fleet’s logistics from her desk in the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes headquarters in Woking, including the 140 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, tractor units, trailers and commercial vehicles, Katy is now accredited to step into the cab and take the wheel.
“My transport manager was half joking when I asked him a question regarding the commercial vehicles, when he replied if I had my HGV licence I would already know the answer.” Katy laughed. “Until that point, the idea had never crossed my mind, but then I thought why not?”
Katy enrolled onto a five-day course through EP Training and successfully passed her test for a class two HGV licence. However, with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes fleet also including artics, Katy had to sit her class one licence to ensure she was fully qualified to operate any of her employer’s vehicles.
“I have to admit that initially I wasn’t too comfortable with the idea of driving a HGV and even put the idea to the back of my mind for a little while,” she said.
“The training was mentally draining, you have to concentrate 150 per cent and at times wish you had an extra pair of eyes. There were occasions when I wondered if I would be good enough to pass the test, but throughout the process my friends and colleagues at McLaren Racing were egging me on. Deep down I knew if I put in the work, I was more than capable of meeting the challenge.”
Katy came through with flying colours and has had subsequent training from Mercedes-Benz CharterWay, including experience of driving in a left hand drive Actros. |
“This was almost going back to square one,” Katy admitted. “While I was comfortable driving a HGV, switching to the left-hand drive seemed very unnatural.
“But the experience at Mercedes-Benz Wentworth Park and the additional time hours spent with the Mercedes-Benz CharterWay trainers were invaluable.”
Katy travelled to Valencia in Spain this year as part of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes launch. She is also looking forward to stepping in to help when her employer requires an extra driver. Katy says she now has the best of worlds, continuing her role as fleet administrator as well as having the option to drive with the team when opportunities arise. And, with McLaren Racing supportive of ongoing driver training on safety and achieving maximum efficiency from their vehicles and safety, Katy will also be encouraged to undertake ongoing driver familiarisation by Mercedes-Benz CharterWay.
Katy acknowledges she is one of few women within the industry but said her experience had been very positive with her colleagues and acquaintances being very supportive: “I guess there is an element of pressure on female truck drivers but it would be great to see more women considering it as a viable career choice.”
Ian Barnard, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes transport manager, said Katy had shown exceptional dedication to her role as fleet administrator: “We were confident that by putting Katy through the test it would bring benefits to all parties. She now has a clear understanding of how things operate in the field, and the issues the team encounter on the road. The process has been a great success for both McLaren Racing and for Katy personally.”
Neil Worthington, Mercedes-Benz CharterWay national accounts services manager, said Katy had proven to be a very good HGV driver, especially considering she had only accrued a few months’ experience.
Neil concluded: “Katy has demonstrated a great deal of courage. It’s tough enough driving an artic on UK roads but to be confident to drive in Europe with a left-hand drive - on the ‘wrong’ side of the road – takes real nerve. Mercedes-Benz CharterWay wishes Katy continued success.” |
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