Inspiration, Insight, and Innovation: Patrick Coorey Visits Thomas Gainsborough School

On Friday, 4th July 2025, students and staff at Thomas Gainsborough School were treated to an exclusive and unforgettable presentation from one of motorsport’s most accomplished figures – Patrick Coorey, Race Team Manager at Jaguar Racing’s Formula E team.

With a professional motorsport career spanning nearly three decades, Patrick captivated the audience with stories and insights drawn from his work across some of the world’s most prestigious racing championships, including Formula E, Formula 1, GP2, Formula 3000, and touring cars. His presentation provided a fascinating glimpse into the high-pressure world of race engineering, team strategy, and technological innovation at the highest levels of motorsport.

Patrick’s journey began in Australia, where, inspired by watching the legendary Ayrton Senna race in Formula 1, he took up karting as a teenager. His passion led him to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at The University of Sydney, all while gaining hands-on experience with local race teams. After several years in Australian touring cars, he moved to England in 2000 to chase his dream in single seater racing. Since then, he’s worked with renowned teams including Virgin Racing, Caterham F1, Super Nova Racing, and Audi Sport Australia, winning races at iconic circuits such as Monaco, Spa, and Imola, and collaborating with racing greats like Michael Schumacher.

Currently the Race Team Manager at Jaguar Racing, Patrick joined the team when it launched in Formula E in 2016. He initially worked as a Race Engineer, before progressing through roles in the Design Office and overseeing Special Projects and Reliability, eventually stepping into his current leadership role in early 2024.

However, what truly set the day apart was Patrick’s generous commitment to our students. Following his presentation, he spent a full hour engaging in one-on-one discussions with aspiring engineers, motorsport enthusiasts, and curious minds. From questions about career paths and technical challenges to life behind the scenes of a race weekend, Patrick offered thoughtful, inspiring, and practical advice to each student he spoke with.

His visit left a lasting impression on everyone present. Students described the experience as “eye-opening” and “motivating,” and many came away with renewed enthusiasm for pursuing careers in engineering, motorsport, and STEM more broadly.

Thomas Gainsborough School is incredibly grateful to Patrick Coorey for taking the time to share his story, knowledge, and encouragement. His visit not only educated but truly inspired – reminding us that with passion, perseverance, and a willingness to chase your dreams across the globe, incredible things are possible.