In the News 
Will Martin reflects on five decades of craftsmanship, motorsport, innovation and lifelong learning.
In August 1976, 16-year-old William “Will” Martin began work as an apprentice toolmaker. Fifty years later, he is still solving difficult problems, making precision components and learning new skills now as part of the team at First Light Fusion.
Will’s career has spanned traditional toolmaking workshops, nearly 25 years in Formula 1 and, most recently, engineering for the future of energy. Along the way, he has witnessed a transformation in manufacturing: from manual machines and paper drawings to digital design, advanced CNC machining, simulation and rapid prototyping.
Learning the craft
Will still remembers his first day. He was excited, but nervous too. “After my first week, I remember thinking, ‘This is my life now!’ It felt quite daunting at the time.
His first year was spent at an engineering training centre in Aylesbury, where he built a broad foundation in hand fitting, sheet-metal fabrication and manual machining on lathes and milling machines.
After completing his apprenticeship, Will worked in several small toolmaking workshops, learning the trade as a journeyman. Before long, however, he realised that he wanted a different challenge and saw that CNC machining represented the future.
He enrolled on an evening course to learn how to programme a Bridgeport Interact three-axis CNC milling machine. That decision opened the door to the next defining chapter of his career.
Finding his place in Formula 1
With motorsport growing locally, Will secured a role in the manual machine shop at the Leyton House March Formula 1 team, alongside an expanding CNC department. A long-time Formula 1 fan, he immediately felt at home.
He loved the tight deadlines and the shared purpose: multi-skilled people from many disciplines working together to get the car onto the track, finish races, win Grand Prix races and compete for the championship.
That combination of precision, pace and teamwork kept him in Formula 1 for nearly 25 years, across a range of roles and teams.
Five decades of technological change
The biggest change Will has seen is in technology. “When I started, everything was manual and drawings were paper based. Today, CAD/CAM, advanced machinery, analysis tools, simulation and rapid prototyping have transformed how we work. We can do things much faster, with far greater accuracy and consistency.”
What has not changed is the satisfaction of turning an idea into something real. Whether it is a tool, a single component or a larger project, Will values knowing that his work has contributed to a meaningful result.
Projects to be proud of
Among Will’s proudest memories is helping to develop an idea in a wind tunnel that went on to contribute to Grand Prix victories and, ultimately, a Formula 1 World Championship.
Another highlight came in 2004, when he was part of a team that built a soapbox racer. Will drove it at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Soapbox Challenge and won the team’s category.
More recently, the workshop at First Light Fusion was asked to produce a component for the FLARE project featuring holes just 0.28mm in diameter. Through careful brainstorming and practical problem-solving, the team found a way to manufacture the components accurately and consistently.
Engineering for the future of energy
For Will, being part of a company working on fusion energy brings a fresh sense of purpose. “It’s exciting. Every day we’re working on something that could have a real impact on future generations, and that’s a great motivation.”
Advice for the next generation
Asked what he would tell a 16-year-old apprentice starting today, Will’s advice is simple: “Be curious, work hard and never stop learning. The skills you develop early on will stay with you for life.”
He also encourages young engineers to ask for help when they need it and to be honest when something goes wrong. “Don’t be afraid to admit you have made a mistake. There is always a solution, and a good engineer will work out how to put it right.” A sense of humour and the ability to laugh at yourself helps too.
Still learning after 50 years
After five decades, it is the people who keep Will coming to work. “I really enjoy working with a great team. It still surprises me that I’m learning new skills, doing fantastic work and, hopefully, helping to make a difference to our future.”
From hand fitting and manual lathes to Formula 1 and fusion energy, Will’s story is a reminder that engineering careers are built not only on technical skill, but also on curiosity, adaptability and teamwork.
