Inside Formula One: A F1 Race Mechanic’s Story - Scott Duncan

In this episode of Origin Story, I sit down with a Red Bull F1 tyre technician to unpack how he went from watching races in pubs to travelling the world with Max Verstappen’s team - Vegas, Brazil, Mexico and beyond. We get into the pressure of sub-2 second pit stops, the chaos of race weekends, and what life really looks like inside the world’s most famous F1 team. In this episode we cover: Growing up in working-class Scotland and discovering F1 Why engineering wasn’t the first plan – and how he found his way into the sport The moment Red Bull came calling What a race week actually looks like from the inside Vegas, Brazil, Mexico and the wildest travel stories from the F1 calendar The pressure of being “the tyre guy” in a world champion team What F1 has taught him about teamwork, discipline and courage Advice for anyone who thinks “people like me don’t get jobs like that” ⏱ Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 03:12 – Growing up in Scotland & first F1 memories 10:45 – From uni & early jobs to Red Bull Racing 19:30 – Inside the tyre bay: what his job actually is 27:05 – Race week routines, stress & team culture 36:20 – Vegas, Brazil, Mexico & F1 travel stories 47:10 – Pressure, mistakes & how you bounce back 56:40 – Life outside the paddock & relationships 1:05:00 – Advice for young people chasing unlikely careers 💌 Stay in the Origin Story universe: Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr 🎙 Follow the guest: Instagram: http://instagram.com/sc0ttduncan/ SPONSORS: 💧 This episode is sponsored by VYBEY Big thank you to Vybey for supporting Origin Story. If you’re like me – long recording days, travel, runs, gym, not enough sleep – plain water doesn’t always cut it. Vybey’s electrolyte powders make it stupidly easy to stay on top of your hydration: Quick to mix, actually tastes good Helps you stay sharp and energised through busy days Perfect for before/after workouts or long days on the road 🧃 Try Vybey here (code DMAC): UK & Europe: https://vybey.co.uk/?shpxid=d48f4c7e-7953-44bb-a9d8-8a8dff0a49db Aus: http://vybey.au/ Merch (Shop Origin Story): originstoryclub.co.uk Please remember to hit subscribe!

David McIntosh JrhostScott Duncanguest

Nov 25, 202552mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: November 25, 2025
Duration: 52m
Channel: Origin Story w/ David McIntosh Jr
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this episode of Origin Story, I sit down with a Red Bull F1 tyre technician to unpack how he went from watching races in pubs to travelling the world with Max Verstappen’s team - Vegas, Brazil, Mexico and beyond. We get into the pressure of sub-2 second pit stops, the chaos of race weekends, and what life really looks like inside the world’s most famous F1 team. In this episode we cover: Growing up in working-class Scotland and discovering F1 Why engineering wasn’t the first plan – and how he found his way into the sport The moment Red Bull came calling What a race week actually looks like from the inside Vegas, Brazil, Mexico and the wildest travel stories from the F1 calendar The pressure of being “the tyre guy” in a world champion team What F1 has taught him about teamwork, discipline and courage Advice for anyone who thinks “people like me don’t get jobs like that” ⏱ Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 03:12 – Growing up in Scotland & first F1 memories 10:45 – From uni & early jobs to Red Bull Racing 19:30 – Inside the tyre bay: what his job actually is 27:05 – Race week routines, stress & team culture 36:20 – Vegas, Brazil, Mexico & F1 travel stories 47:10 – Pressure, mistakes & how you bounce back 56:40 – Life outside the paddock & relationships 1:05:00 – Advice for young people chasing unlikely careers 💌 Stay in the Origin Story universe: Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr 🎙 Follow the guest: Instagram: http://instagram.com/sc0ttduncan/ SPONSORS: 💧 This episode is sponsored by VYBEY Big thank you to Vybey for supporting Origin Story. If you’re like me – long recording days, travel, runs, gym, not enough sleep – plain water doesn’t always cut it. Vybey’s electrolyte powders make it stupidly easy to stay on top of your hydration: Quick to mix, actually tastes good Helps you stay sharp and energised through busy days Perfect for before/after workouts or long days on the road 🧃 Try Vybey here (code DMAC): UK & Europe: https://vybey.co.uk/?shpxid=d48f4c7e-7953-44bb-a9d8-8a8dff0a49db Aus: http://vybey.au/ Merch (Shop Origin Story): originstoryclub.co.uk Please remember to hit subscribe!

SPEAKERS

David McIntosh Jr
host
Podcast host of "Origin Story" who interviews guests and reads sponsor segments.
Scott Duncan
guest
Formula 1 race mechanic/tyre technician (Red Bull) with prior experience at McLaren and Alpine.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Origin Story w/ David McIntosh Jr, featuring David McIntosh Jr and Scott Duncan, Inside Formula One: A F1 Race Mechanic’s Story - Scott Duncan explores from Ayrshire to Red Bull: life as an F1 tyre tech Scott Duncan details an indirect career path—from environmental science and an unfulfilling graduate job to a mechanical apprenticeship and relentless volunteering—that eventually led him into F1.

RELATED EPISODES