S ometimes life as a Formula One mechanic can be shocking, literally. You may not have heard about BMW's small embarrassment at a test in Spain last week, as the victim wasn't one of the sports superannuated stars, but a humble mechanic.
The BMW Sauber team were testing their Kinetic Energy Recovery System at the Jerez track. It produces power from braking and is part of next year's regulations. Most teams are already well advanced in their preparations for next year, as well as running this year's car.
However, it seems BMW Sauber aren't as ready as they thought. This hapless mechanic just touched the car and got a beefy electric shock. He wasn't badly hurt, according to reports, but after feeling dizzy that afternoon, he spent the evening in hospital as a precaution.
I bet that wasn't on the job description. Of course, there are a lot of good things about the job. For a start, like the drivers, you are at the top of your profession. That brings immense kudos. I'm sure it's a pretty decent wage, and you get to travel all over the world.
But it isn't all a bed of roses. The travel itself starts to pale after a while. I spoke to the wife of one of the GP2 mechanics recently. The support race doesn't travel to the fly-away races, and for that reason alone she said she'd prefer for her husband to stay where he was. She had a chance to see him once in a while.
There is also an element of danger, and not just from electric shocks. During the race we've seen mechanics run over at pit stops and covered in flames when refuelling goes wrong.
But what a chance to get up and personal with one of the most exciting sports on the planet. Like the drivers, there are only so many places available in the pit garage, so it's advisable to grab an opportunity with both hands. Which brings to mind a story told to me recently that might serve as a warning to mechanics with ambition.