High Performance Powertrains 2020

Stefan Dreyer: Head of Powertrain Development, Audi Motorsport

Born in 1973 in Stuttgart (Germany), married, two children

Education in Germany and USA

Started to work at AUDI motorsport in 1999 in the area of race engine development / testing department

Main stations during that career:

•            Project leader V8 DTM engine

•            Head of race engine testing department

•            Head of engine operation during the LMP prototype program

•            Head of LMP project

•            Head of powertrain development (current position)

Mike Bassett: Chief Engineer (Research & Advanced Engineering), MAHLE Powertrain

Mike Bassett graduated from Bristol University in 1993, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. He then studied for a PhD at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST,) focusing on the 1D modelling of internal combustion engines. Mike joined Lotus Engineering in 2000, where he worked in the Software Development Department. He moved to MAHLE Powertrain in 2007 to join the performance analysis group. Mike is currently Chief Engineer in the Research and Advanced Engineering Group, where he is responsible for leading MAHLE Powertrain’s research activities in the UK.

Paul Freeland: Principal Engineer, Cosworth

Paul Freeland has over 29 years experience in powertrain development, working with a wide variety of manufacturers and research establishments, Paul Freeland’s career has seen the transition from carburetters and contact-breaker points to full torque-structure electronic engine management systems, from a dominance of fixed camshaft two-valve engines to an almost total adoption of wide-range dual VVT four-valve engines and the widespread introduction of fully variable valvelift technologies. As we face a future dictated by threats of human-induced climate change and the drive to decarbonise transportation, Paul’s role has expanded to leading developments in vehicle electrification and renewable energy storage systems. For the last three years Paul has led Cosworth’s development of powertrain electrification and battery systems. As part of this, he became involved in the Part APC-funded UK-ABSC project to produce the world’s first demonstrator battery pack using smart cell technology.

David Richardson: Business Development Director, Coryton Fuels

David joined Coryton from its outset in 2010, having worked within the specialist fuels sector since 2002. David possesses vast expertise in building and managing customer relationships as well as logistics, domestic and international customs and export licensing. David has and continues to represent Coryton both at a technical and strategic level. He has sat on the British Technical Council’s Coordinating European Council, advised the EU’s JRC, and the UK government. David’s key focus is international trade, regulations and building strategic partnerships.

Chris Vagg: Lecturer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath

Dr Chris Vagg studied Mechanical Engineering before undertaking his PhD at the University of Bath researching predictive optimal energy management for hybrid electric vehicles. In 2014 Chris moved to Renault Sport Racing (Paris) where for 5 years he led the development of the Formula E electric powertrain and vehicle control systems. Under his leadership Renault-powered cars won three Formula E Teams’ Championships and two Driver's titles. Chris joined the University of Bath as a Lecturer in September 2019. His research interests are in electrified vehicle propulsion, especially applying a system level understanding of the vehicle and powertrain to solve interdisciplinary problems, architectural innovation and thermal management.

Steve Blevins: Formula E Programme Manager, Ricardo Motorsport

Steve holds an engineering degree from Cranfield Institute of Technology and has spent the last 28 years working driveline development. Since 1996, he has been project managing motorsport driveline projects for Ricardo in a number of diverse arenas; from MotoGP to LMP and R5 rally to single-seater circuit racing. Having successfully delivered both ‘factory racing’ and ‘customer racing’ projects he has enjoyed working with the likes of Audi Sport, Hyundai Motorsport, Renault Sport, Porsche Motorsport, PSA Motorsport and Dallara Automobili

Sam Cockerill: Chief Executive, Libertine

Sam Cockerill is CEO of Libertine FPE Limited, a UK startup making battery-like “Smart Engine” power generator products for distributed power and transport applications. Before forming Libertine in 2009, Sam was previously an independent management & technical consultant to the renewable energy industry & public sector. Sam was a member of the senior management team of Ensus, one of Europe’s major bioethanol producers. Sam has over 20 years’ experience in automotive engineering, consumer product development and strategy consulting. He is a chartered mechanical engineer and has an MBA from INSEAD.

Pat Symonds: Chief Technical Officer, Formula One

Pat Symonds’ 40-year motorsport career has seen him achieve success with some of the sport’s most accomplished teams and drivers. Having started his career designing championship winning cars for the lower formulae he joined the fledgling Toleman F1 team working with Ayrton Senna however it was with Benetton and subsequently Renault that he achieved extraordinary success. His partnerships with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso produced 32 race wins, four Drivers’ World Championships and three Constructors’ World Championships. After some years running his engineering consultancy, Neutrino Dynamics, he accepted an offer to become CTO at the Williams F1 team, a position he held until the end of the 2016 season and during which the team achieved many notable successes including rising from ninth to third in the World Championship. Pat is now Chief Technical Officer at F1 (Formula One Management) tasked with setting up a small technical group to assist the FIA in the formulation of future F1 regulations. He is also a visiting professor at Cranfield University, a chartered engineer and a fellow of both the IMechE and the RAeS.

Rodi Basso: Co-founder and CEO, E1 series - World Electric Powerboat

Rodi Basso is an Aerospace Engineer who started his career at NASA Goddard in Greenbelt (USA) by implementing new electronic technologies for on-board satellite data intelligence.   Then he moved to race engineering in Formula 1: Five F1 world championships won in Scuderia Ferrari between 2000 and 2005, three years in Red Bull Racing where he contributed to the first podium (Monaco 2006) and the foundation of the future Red Bull successes. 

Afterwards, he moved his interests into business performance by covering business development and managing direction roles in Magneti Marelli and McLaren.  

Today, Rodi is the CEO and co-founder of the E1 series with Alejandro Agag, the only world electric powerboat series aiming to disrupt the entertainment industry and accelerate the electrification of the marine industry. He is also the CTO of the start-up involved in delivering the powerboats.

Rodi is also involved in advisory roles for several companies and universities. 

Glen Pascoe: Technical Lead, EV Powertrains for Motorsport, Williams Advanced Engineering

Graduating in Automotive Engineering, Glen holds an additional degree in Design and Innovation for Sustainability from Cranfield. Glen has spent much of his career at Williams where he has specialised in composites and the hybridisation of vehicle powertrains including F1 design and the development of flywheel energy storage systems for endurance racing and transportation applications. With a passion for design and sustainability Glen currently leads the technical teams developing EV powertrains for motorsport (Extreme E, PureETCR and Formula E) in Williams Advanced Engineering.